Heckscher State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heckscher State Park |
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Dunes in Heckscher State Park
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| Type | State park |
| Location | Heckscher Parkway Field 1 East Islip, New York |
| Nearest city | East Islip, New York |
| Area | 1,657 acres (6.71 km2) |
| Created | February 1929 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 982,530 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Heckscher State Park |
Heckscher State Park is a huge park in New York State, right on the Great South Bay. It covers about 1,657 acres (6.7 km2) and is located in East Islip, Suffolk County. It's a great place for outdoor fun and seeing nature.
Contents
Park History
How the Park Started
Heckscher State Park was once made up of large estates from the 1800s. One of these properties belonged to William Nicoll, who founded Islip. In 1924, the Long Island State Park Commission, led by Robert Moses, wanted to take over this land for a park.
There were some legal issues at first because the Commission didn't have enough money to pay for the land. But eventually, New York State bought the property. A generous person named August Heckscher helped by donating money. The park officially opened its doors in February 1929.
Music in the Park
For many years, from 1972 to 2008, the New York Philharmonic orchestra played free concerts here. These "Concerts in the Parks" were held on summer evenings. Everyone was welcome to come and enjoy the music outdoors.
In 2009, the New York Philharmonic had to cancel their concert that year. But the very next year, in 2010, the Long Island Philharmonic stepped in! They put on a successful show. These new concerts often feature music by American composers like George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.
What to Do at the Park
Heckscher State Park offers lots of activities for visitors. You can enjoy the beach, have a picnic at tables with shelters, or let younger kids play at the playground. There are also fields for sports and a special course for disc golf.
You can join recreation programs, go hiking or biking on trails, or try fishing. In the winter, if there's snow, you can even go cross-country skiing. The park also has a boat launch for those who want to get out on the water. There used to be a campground and a large swimming pool, but they had to close them.
Wildlife at Heckscher
Heckscher State Park is sometimes called the "Home of the White-tailed Deer" because many deer live here. It's common to see them roaming around the park.
The park is also a fantastic spot for birdwatching. About 280 different kinds of birds have been seen here! Keep an eye out for all sorts of feathered friends.
Getting Around
You can reach the park easily by using the Heckscher State Parkway. The park is also where the Long Island Greenbelt Trail begins. This trail is about 31 miles long and ends at Sunken Meadow State Park.
