Preserves

Nassau County manages 3,300 acres of preserves - areas that serve to enhance the environment and provide opportunities for the public to enjoy open spaces and reflect upon the natural wonders of Long Island. The preserves offer examples of most of the ecosystems that can be found on Long Island, including Prairie-Hempstead Plains, which is an endangered habitat, and Upland Forest.

Hempstead Plains Newsletter (PDF)

The upland forest areas are of three varieties:

  • Those reminiscent of the type of forests found in the cold, river valleys of Connecticut
  • Those similar to the lower Hudson River Valley
  • Those known as "Oak Barrens / heath understory" (pine barrens, freshwater marsh, salt marsh, swamp forest of red maple and Atlantic white cedar, and beach)

Mission

The mission of the county is to protect the environment of the preserves; to study the ecology of the preserves; to perform maintenance and restoration of natural systems, as required; and to provide educational and recreational activities for the public.

Location Information

County RegionPreserve NamePreserve Location
North ShoreBailey ArboretumBayville Road and Feeks Lane
Lattington, NY
Phone:516-571-8020
On Site Staff:Yes
South ShoreBrookside PreserveBrookside Avenue
Freeport, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A
North ShoreElderfields Preserve200 Port Washington Boulevard
Manhasset, NY 11030
516.304.5797
Staff on site
Central Nassau
Francis T. Purcell Preserve
Adjacent to the Meadowbrook Parkway Uniondale, NY 11553
North ShoreGarvies Point Museum and PreserveBarry Drive
Glen Cove, NY
Phone:516-571-8010
On Site Staff:Yes
Central Nassau
Hempstead Plains
On the campus of Nassau Community College Garden City, NY 11530
North ShoreLeeds Pond Preserve1526 N. Plandome Road
Plandome Manor, NY
Phone:516-627-9400
On Site Staff:N/A
South ShoreMeroke PreserveOrange and Farmer streets
Bellmore, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A
North ShoreMill Neck PreserveBayville Park Boulevard and Perry Avenue
Bayville, NY
Phone:516-571-8500
On Site Staff:N/A
South ShoreMill Pond ParkMerrick Road
Wantagh, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A
North ShoreMuttontown PreserveMuttontown Lane
East Norwich, NY
Phone:516-571-8500
On Site Staff:Yes
South ShorePeter J. Schmitt Massapequa PreserveMerrick Road and Ocean Avenue
Massapequa, NY
Phone:516-571-7443
On Site Staff:N/A
North ShoreSands Point Preserve127 Middleneck Road
Sands Point, NY
Phone:516-571-7900
On Site Staff:Yes
North ShoreStillwell Woods PreserveSouth Woods Road
Syosset, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A
South ShoreTackapausha PreserveWashington Avenue
Seaford, NY
Phone:516-571-7443
On Site Staff:Yes
South ShoreTanglewood Park and PreserveTanglewood Road
Lakeview, NY
Phone:516-764-0045 (Center for Science Teaching and Learning) On Site Staff:No
North ShoreTiffany Creek PreserveSandy Hill Road
Oyster Bay, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A
North ShoreWelwyn PreserveCrescent Beach and New Woods roads
Glen Cove, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A
North ShoreWilliam Cullen Bryant Preserve1 Museum Drive
Roslyn Harbor, NY
Phone:N/A
On Site Staff:N/A