Massapequa Preserve

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This 423-acre parcel of land comprises the largest single acquisition by Nassau County of New York City watershed property. The preserve is divided into three sections bounded by major roadways. The southern section, from Merrick Road to Sunrise Highway, contains the most diverse and ecologically valuable lands. Freshwater swamps, marsh, stream, lake and sandy-bog area provide habitat for many rare and endangered Long Island plants, including orchids, carnivorous sundews and bladderworts. The longest hiking trail in Nassau County, the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail, begins at Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue and continues through the length of the preserve, ending at Cold Spring Harbor. Freshwater fishing is available in several of the lakes and streams (license required).

In December 2006, the Massapequa Preserve was named "Best Nature Preserve of Long Island " by Long Island Press, the weekly newspaper.

Massapequa Creek Streamflow Augmentation and Stormwater Management Project Begins in August

In early August 2008, the Department of Public Works will undertake a major stream corridor enhancement project within the 423-acre Massapequa Preserve, located on Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue in Massapequa, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. This project has several components aimed at restoring, enhancing and protecting one of the most valuable freshwater wetland habitats remaining in Nassau County. The major components of the project include:

• Augmenting the Massapequa Creek stream flow with 800 gallons per minute of water that will be withdrawn from the de-commissioned Brooklyn Water Works infiltration gallery piping located below ground near part of the preserve by Sunrise Highway. The withdrawn water will be pumped northward in a new pipeline buried below the bike path (which will be completely replaced) and discharged into the stream channel at several locations just south of Linden Street. The aim of augmenting the flow is twofold: to allow the stream to flow more consistently during dry weather; and provide colder water to the stream in an effort to provide habitat for cool-water fish species (trout).

• Dredging/berming portions of two ponds to segregate the stream flow from the storm flow, thereby enhancing the aesthetic and ecological values of the ponds. 

• Conducting stream channel improvements to prevent erosion and loss of wetland vegetation while restoring its suitability as a trout habitat. The improvements consist of some sediment removal from the channel, stream bank reinforcement, and protection using vegetative erosion control techniques and plantings. Other techniques such as rock weirs and stream diversions will create fish habitat as recommended by Trout Unlimited.

• Improving the Massapequa Reservoir through the partial dredging of a deep channel near the eastern wing to enhance flow and water temperature.

• Irrigating a 12-acre red maple swamp with diverted storm water runoff from the newly segregated ponds. These wetland areas are in need of additional irrigation if they are to remain viable as a wetland habitat.

• Providing storm water treatment at various locations throughout the watershed to prevent floatable trash and debris from entering the stream. These devices will filter suspended solids, nutrients, metals, oil and grease as well as pathogens.

The size and scope of the project will necessarily involve some disruption within the Massapequa Preserve. Accordingly, the Nassau County Department of Public Works, the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, the Nassau County Office of Public Safety, Bove Industries (the contractor), the Village of Massapequa Park and local County legislators will coordinate their efforts to alert surrounding residents and preserve visitors about anticipated construction activities, path closures, and path detours.