Visitors can explore three Long Island state parks in a single day during “One Day, Three Parks” on Saturday, Oct. 4. The program features activities at Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park in Great River, Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, and Heckscher State Park in East Islip.
Festivities begin at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway, with a manor house tour at 9:15 a.m., followed by a farm tour at 9:45 a.m. A scavenger hunt and bird coloring tables will also be available.
“This is something that never happened—that three friends’ groups are joining together for this event,” said George Gorman, regional director of New York State Parks Long Island.
The Bayard Cutting Horticultural Society, Friends of Heckscher, and Friends of Connetquot are collaborating to showcase the parks’ proximity and variety.
Gorman advised visitors to travel by car. All activities are free. He also noted the relevance of the manor tours at Bayard and Connetquot, citing their connection to the Gilded Age.
“It being the 100th anniversary of the writing of The Great Gatsby, it is a perfect time to actually see them,” he said.
At Connetquot, visitors can join an 11:30 a.m. tour of the historic South Side Sportsmen’s Club, followed by a guided hike at 12:15 p.m. and a fish hatchery tour at 1 p.m.
“It’s unique and different to see a fish hatchery on the South Shore,” Gorman said.
Heckscher hosts the final leg, starting with a disc golf demonstration at 2 p.m. A 2:45 p.m. guided nature tour will highlight the park’s trails and autumn scenery, followed by a hatchery tour at 3:30 p.m. Scavenger and exploration hunts will also be offered.
The day concludes at Taylor Pavilion with live music from the Sayville and Farmingdale Schools of Rock at 4:15 p.m., along with food trucks.
For more information, visit https://www.friendsofconnetquot.org.