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Updated plans unveiled for park along Sound Avenue in Northville

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What’s the plan for Hallock State Park, the 314-acre property north of Sound Avenue in Northville that was purchased by New York State from KeySpan Energy for $16 million more than 15 years ago?

It will be a passive recreation park, with extensive trails, a visitor’s center, and some picnic tables, according to Greg Greene and Nancy Lenz of Cashing Associates, which is working on the plan for the state. There also will be limited horse riding on the site, which is already occurring. 

Mr. Greene and Ms. Lenz presented plans for the park at a Riverhead Town Board work session Thursday at Town Hall, where town officials offered some concerns over parking and traffic at the park.

Cashing Associates has estimated the site would generate less than 10 cars on a Saturday, but Riverhead Town officials disagreed.

They feel a lot of people will want to stop there.

Supervisor Sean Walter said people already pull over to the side of the road on Sound Avenue to have a picnic.

“This is going to be a rest stop,” he said.

He and other town officials believe a turning lane into the park will be needed on Sound Avenue, especially in the fall, during pumpkin picking season.

“Once people find out you can picnic here and you can walk around and it’s free, they’re going to be stopping here,” he said.

Ms. Lenz says she doesn’t think the site is attractive for picnicking.

“Neither is the side of Sound Avenue,” Mr. Walter said.

Caption: East End Livestock and Horsemen’s Association members take a trail ride at Hallock State Park. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch, file)

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