Muttontown Preserve facts for kids

The Muttontown Preserve is a huge nature park covering 550 acres in Muttontown, New York. It's a wonderful place to explore nature, see wildlife, and learn about the history of Long Island's famous estates.

A Park with a Past

The Muttontown Preserve wasn't always one big park. It was created by combining three large, old estates. Each estate had its own interesting story before becoming part of this beautiful preserve.

From Estates to Preserve

One part of the preserve comes from a 100-acre estate donated by Alexandra Moore McKay. Her family used to own the Chelsea Family Farm. This farm was located in what is now Chelsea, Manhattan. Today, you can find the Muttontown Nature Center and Chelsea Estate on this land.

The biggest part of the preserve was bought from Lansdell Christie. He was a pioneer in industry in Liberia. On this land was the famous Knollwood Estate. This estate had a huge 60-room mansion that once belonged to King Zog. King Zog never actually came to the United States. He eventually sold the land to Christie. Christie then sold it to Nassau County. The mansion was torn down in 1959, but you can still find old stairs and broken fountains from it.

Exploring the Grounds

The preserve offers many interesting sights and activities. It's a great place to spend time outdoors and discover nature.

Historic Mansions

Inside the preserve, you'll find the beautiful Chelsea Mansion. This mansion has 40 rooms and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1929. The mansion is a perfect example of the fancy architectural style from the "Gold Coast Era" of Long Island. It shows influences from French, English, and Chinese designs. Today, the Chelsea Mansion can be rented for special events like weddings.

Another historic building in the preserve is Nassau Hall. This is another grand mansion from the Gold Coast Era. It was built in 1903 for a person named Bronson Winthrop.

Nature Trails and Wildlife

The Muttontown Preserve is full of miles of marked and unmarked nature trails. These trails wind through forests filled with many kinds of trees, colorful flowers, and interesting plants. As you walk, you might spot various birds, reptiles, and other animals that call the preserve home.

The county's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Museums often holds guided walks in the park. These walks are a great way to learn more about the preserve's nature and history. The soil here is a type of brown dirt called Montauk series. It's good for the many plants that grow in the preserve.

Images for kids

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  Sign at the entrance to the Chelsea Mansion and Muttontown Preserve