Town of Huntington, NY - News Details
6/12/2015 - Petrone Joins North Shore Land Alliance in Celebrating Opening of Wawapek Preserve
Cold Spring Harbor – Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone joined representatives from Suffolk County, New York State and the North Shore Land Alliance June 6 in celebrating the opening of the Wawapek Preserve, a nature preserve made possible by the joint purchase of a portion of the former DeForest Williams estate, ensuring that the land will not be developed.
Named for the original Native American description for the property, the 32-acre Wawapek preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, trees and wildflowers, including Eastern box turtles (a New York State watch list species), at least three state-protected plants and a variety of birds. The sanctuary, which will be managed by the Land Alliance, provided an opportunity for residents to take leisurely walks on the trails or sit on the benches and enjoy nature.
“The Town is happy to have partnered with Suffolk County and the North Shore Land Alliance on this purchase, which not only preserves environmentally sensitive land but also provides educational and recreational opportunities for our residents. I hope that many people will walk these trails to see some of the unique flora and fauna that call the Wawapek Preserve their home,” Supervisor Petrone said
Under the unusual joint purchase agreement, the Town and the Land Alliance each contributed 25 percent of $6 million purchase price for 27 of the acres, with Suffolk County picking up the remaining 50 percent. Separately, the Land Alliance purchased an additional five acres that is being used for parking and a garden/orchard.
The purchase is important both environmentally and historically. It lies within the Cold Spring Harbor Watershed and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The acquisition also fulfills a goal of the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Watershed Plan.
For the Town, the acquisition is the 38th since the Environmental Open Space and Park Fund was created by the first of three bond acts in 1998. Almost 300 acres have been purchased to date.