Next up in our Winter Walks series: Avalon Nature Preserve.
Previous winter walk articles: Quogue Wildlife Refuge & Prosser Pines
NOTE: Due to COVID-19, hours and amenities may be affected. Please check the status of your intended destination before visiting.
Nestled right next to Stony Brook Village, Avalon Nature Preserve has a lot to offer. Mill Pond (the duck pond) is easily visible from the main street and acts as a beautiful invitation into the preserve. Here you will find tons of ducks, pigeons, geese, and swans that call the duck pond home. I have been bringing my children here to feed the ducks since they were babies. Cracked corn is suggested when feeding the ducks and their friends. My family typically purchases our cracked corn from Port Jefferson Agway as we make our way to the pond.
The duck pond does not have a barrier between the land and the pond, so when going with young children please be mindful of that. When my kids were in the stage when they were new walkers, but not good listeners, I kept them in their stroller or made sure to hold them by the hand at all times. There is, however, a handrail that leads from the pond to the gate entrance of the trails of the preserve.
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This next part of the preserve has been recently re-done. The gate is open once again for the public. The boardwalks meander around Mill Pond, offering a bridge and some seating spots to enjoy with your family. My children in particular love crossing the bridge many times over. This, however, is also where the steps begin. The boardwalk leads to stone steps up the hill. There are no handrails, so carry or hold young children by the hand as some steps can get quite steep.
The next part that you will find is the frog pond and then the labyrinth with the Prometheus Sculpture. Modeled after the Chartres Cathedral in France, walk the stone steps of the labyrinth to find some inner peace. But since you're with kids (what's inner peace?!), just take a moment and let them explore. If you continue on the white path, it will end at Rhododendron Drive. This path is 0.35 miles one way. This is where I would often stop when my kids were younger. There are a few spots to find a bench along this part of the trail as well, which makes it great for a water break.
If you and your family are up to continuing, cross over Rhododendron Drive to find the entrance of the red trail (0.3 miles) which gains access to the yellow trail (2.2 miles), orange trail (1.1 miles), blue trail (0.8 miles), and eventually the green trail (1.0) miles. These trails in the back of the preserve can be easier accessed by two parking lots on Shep Jones Lane. Please see the map here for more details so you're able to better plan your visit.
Along the Hilltop Meadow, you can find the Cartas Al Cielo and the Skylab and Skydome. The Cartas Al Cielo is a mirrored sphere that invites visitors to write notes to those in heaven with no worldly address. The Skylab and Skydome have allowed the park to team up with local educators. Together, they bring fascinating programs for those interested in astronomy. These events have been modified or postponed due to COVID.
Trail Information
- White trail (0.35 miles)
- Red trail (0.3 miles)
- Yellow trail (2.2 miles)
- Green trail (1.0 miles)
- Blue trail (0.8 miles)
- Orange trail (1.1 miles)
Check out their interactive trail map to better plan your route.
AVALON NATURE PRESERVE RUNDOWN
- Bring cracked corn for the ducks and fowl to enjoy
- Consider keeping your young child in a stroller if you are worried about them falling/jumping into the water
- Strollers are not good for the boardwalk/stairs portion of the trail and the rest of the trail has plenty of tree roots making strollers not a good option
- A baby carrier is definitely the way to go so you can enjoy nature with your baby/toddler
- Make sure to check out the interactive map and figure out how far you and your family are able to go before setting out
- Parking and entrance are free
- No bathroom facilities
- Some benches around the boardwalk area of the paths, but otherwise there are none
- Dog friendly. Please leash and pickup after your pet.
- When you are done, check out Stony Brook Village with your family for a bite to eat or some shopping
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