How Long Island Trails Came into Existence
Hiking, Mountain Bicycling, and Equestrian Trails
Why Trails?
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One of the pleasures of experiencing a park is in the quality of the trail system. Though there are many ways trails are old roads or deer paths, carefully, designed and maintained trails are more fun to traverse and explore.
An access trail Hither Hills (Walking Dunes) on (right).
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Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest where visible blazes (one red and one white) lead the hiker to follow the path.
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What kinds of trails exist on Long Island?
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Passive Use Recreational Trails
Most trails are unpaved. Some trails are designated for one type of recreational use. Other trails are shared trails. Major trail uses include: hiking, mountain bicycling, bicycling (paved), equestrian riding, hunting, birding, jogging, running, exploring, etc. All trails need to be maintained to minimize negative impacts and to maximize pleasurable use. Pictured, on right, is the equestrian riding at Connetiquot River State Park.
Administrative Roads
By far the most noticeable "trails" are the roads that give administrative vehicle access, such as, boundary roads, and the roads used for emergency access or habitat management purposes. Pictured, on right, is a freshly bulldozed administrative fire road at Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest. |
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Who designs and maintains trails?
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On Long Island, there are three major trail communities who work closely with public land managers to design and maintain trails. The three major recreational groups that maintain trails include: hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrian riders. Other trail maintainers include the agency itself, nature centers, public lands trusts and other nonprofit organizations.
Trails are customized to each use. Some trails allow for multiple use access. If you are on a trail designed for another recreational use, stay alert and be careful. Trail work typically involves hand tools for clipping, lopping, and litter pickup. Power tool use and blazing (marking trails) requires additional training. |
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A poorly designed trail system is boring, difficult to walk on. Eroding trails that run straight up a hill without looping switch back also indicates a poorly designed trail.
The photograph on the left and this student natural journal article demonstrate how to design trails for mountain bicycling use. |
What are illegal trail uses?
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All terrain vehicles ( ATVs) are prohibited on parks and protected lands. ATV riding has led to extreme soil erosion on miles and miles of Long Island trails. Continued cooperation is key to successful management between recreational groups and public land managers; however, sometimes the land manager is unwilling to work with local groups, or sometimes rogue users create unauthorized new trails. In both cases, conflicts arise; compromise is the goal of balancing recreational enjoyment with nature protection.
Pictured, on right, is an illegal BMX trail at Pauquakconsuk WoodField. A potential legal alternative has approved for Percy B. Raynor Memorial Park. |
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