Nissequogue River State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nissequogue River State Park |
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The mouth of the Nissequogue River
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 799 Saint Johnland Road Kings Park, New York |
| Nearest city | Kings Park, New York |
| Area | 521 acres (2.11 km2) |
| Created | 2000 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 95,288 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Nissequogue River State Park |
Nissequogue River State Park is a large state park in Kings Park, New York. It covers about 521 acres (2.11 km2) of land. The park is located right on the banks and bluffs of the Nissequogue River. It first opened in the year 2000. The park was created on land that used to be part of a big hospital. This hospital was called the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.
Park History
Nissequogue River State Park officially opened in 2000. It started with 153 acres (0.62 km2) of land. This land was once part of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. The hospital had closed down in 1996.
Later, in 2007, the park grew even bigger. An extra 368 acres (1.49 km2) from the old hospital property were added. Some parts of the hospital land still needed to be cleaned up. There were also old buildings that needed to be taken care of. The plan was to make sure any new changes fit in with the park's natural look.
In 2010, the park faced a challenge. New York State decided to close Nissequogue River State Park. This was due to budget cuts affecting many state parks. But people worked hard to save it. Just eleven days later, the state changed its mind. The park reopened on May 28, 2010, after a special agreement was made.
Many of the old hospital buildings were taken down. In 2013, 18 buildings and a tall smokestack were removed. More demolitions were planned for 2016. This helped to clear the land and make more space for the park.
What to Do at the Park
Nissequogue River State Park offers many fun activities. You can play soccer on the fields. It's also a great place for bird watching. Many different types of birds visit the park.
If you like being on the water, you can go fishing. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular on the river. For those who enjoy exploring, there are trails for hiking and biking. The park also offers guided tours. These tours help you learn more about the area.
The park has a special area for boats. There is a marina where you can keep your boat during certain seasons.
Bird Conservation Area
A special part of the park is set aside for birds. It's called a bird conservation area. Its main goal is to protect birds that spend the winter here. It also helps birds that are migrating, meaning they are traveling through. This area is very important for wading birds. These include birds like egrets and herons. It gives them safe places to find food and rest.
Park Buildings
Some of the old Kings Park Psychiatric Center buildings are still standing. One of these buildings has been fixed up. It's called Building 125. This building now serves as the main office for the park staff.
