News

Hearing on Jamesport park scheduled

A public hearing on a draft master plan for Jamesport State Park, which under that proposal would be renamed Hallock State Park Preserve, has been set for May 18.

The hearing, held by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Naugles Barn at Hallockville Museum Farm on Sound Avenue in Riverhead.

Under the proposed plan, the entire 220-acre park would be classified as a nature preserve and would include trails for hiking, walking and horseback riding with the proper permit,

Scuba diving and fishing in Long Island Sound would be allowed with a permit, although fishing, scuba diving, boating and bathing would all be prohibited at Hallock’s Pond, according to the proposal. Biking and ATV vehicles will not be permitted at the park.

The state, which bought the property in 2002, has earmarked more than $4 million to build infrastructure, maintain the land and construct an environmental education center.

The property, which is actually in Northville, stretches from Sound Avenue to the Sound and includes open plains, a tidal pond, thick woods and a mile-long stretch of pristine beach. It has previously been used for farming, sand mining and as a summer camp, according to the master plan summary.

Copies of the draft plan are available at Wildwood State Park, Riverhead Free Library and online at http://nysparks.com/inside-our-agency/public-documents.aspx

Those who wish to comment but can’t attend the hearing can mail statements to Ronald Foley, Regional Director, NYS OPRHP Long Island Region, Regional Headquarters, 625 Belmont Ave., Babylon, NY 11704.

VERA CHINESE