5-16-2023 12:50pm

Transit to Trails launches to get people biking, hiking, visiting Long Island

Samantha Hespos Editor

Suffolk County has recently introduced an interactive initiative aimed at assisting locals and tourists in utilizing public transportation to access parks, trails, and amenities that can be traversed on foot or bike, just in time for the approaching summer.

Furthermore, it is the officials' aspiration for the program to be inclusive of not only summertime but also all-year-round.

The Transit to Trails program, a part of Connect Long Island initiative by the county, was announced during a news conference at Argyle Lake in Babylon, coinciding with the National Bike Month celebration and a day before National Train Day on Saturday.

Officials stressed the significance of the program as it showcases a collection of interactive online maps that particularly focus on public spaces that are in close proximity to Long Island Rail Road stations. It will begin by highlighting areas that are conveniently accessible from seven Suffolk LIRR stations namely Babylon, Cold Spring Harbor, Deer Park, Great River, Port Jefferson, Sayville, and Smithtown. More station links are expected to be added in the future.

County Executive Steve Bellone stated that they are thrilled to provide more access for people to discover the numerous acres of parks in Suffolk County, without contributing to road traffic. He also expressed his desire that this initiative will encourage visitors to extend their stay and take the time to explore the nearby downtowns before leaving.

From the Smithtown station, visitors have the opportunity to explore over 1,000 acres of public parks, hiking and biking trails, the Nissequogue River, the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, as well as an active downtown area, according to officials. Similarly, Great River provides access to more than 5,000 acres of parks, greenway areas, the Greenbelt Trail, and the historic Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

According to George Gorman, who is the spokesman for New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Transit to Trails initiative is significant because it will promote knowledge about transportation options that do not require a car to access extensive public areas, which some inhabitants may be unaware of.

Babylon Village and Argyle Lake can be reached quickly by walking or riding south from Babylon station, according to Gorman. Additionally, a path starting near the station leads north through Southards Pond Park and goes all the way to Belmont Lake State Park, which is situated north of the Southern State Parkway.

Gorman expressed that the trail is splendid, with its forested surroundings making it hard to perceive the urban or suburban development that surrounds it. The trail serves as a reminder of nature's beauty.

According to Kristen Reynolds, the president and CEO of Discover Long Island, the new initiative will greatly benefit their efforts to market Long Island as a car-free getaway. This strategy will entice more tourists to the area, boost local businesses, and reduce traffic on the roads.

She explained that trail-based tourism is one of the rapidly expanding sectors, indicating a mounting concern across the country towards sustainable travel and leisure.

She stated that the sector of tourism centered around trails is rapidly growing, which signals an increasing interest towards sustainable travel and leisure in the entire country.

The users of Transit to Trails are informed that there are more places to visit besides parks and trails near the stations; the site includes museums, theaters, historic sites, boat and bike rental locations, skate parks, ice rinks, bowling alleys, golf courses, playgrounds, vineyards, breweries, distilleries, and even boardwalks and beaches.