July 2023 – Trail Mix
Volume 3, Issue 7 July 2023
The Trail Mix is the monthly newsletter of The Friends of the Greenway. We established this bulletin to keep the Friends and users of the Greenway current on some of the “goings- on” regarding our Trail and to dispense a mix of bits and bytes of flavorful information. Hopefully, The Trail Mix will help to enlighten, inform, and entertain our readers. The Friends of the our parent organization – The Three Village Community Trust.
Why it Matters!
Certainly, by this time, most of our Trail Mix readers are aware that the Lawrence Aviation property is now in the hands of the Suffolk County Landbank Authority. The property, a Federal Superfund Site, is slated to have more than a dozen buildings removed this year. While the federal government has already spent tens of millions of dollars removing ground and water contaminants from the former aircraft parts manufacturer site, more work needs to be done.
What will happen to the property after the cleanup is completed? The current thought is that approximately one-third of the property would become a solar farm, one-third would become open space, and one-third would become the site of a new train station and trail yard, replacing the current station and yard located east of NYS Route 112. This new configuration would be an important step in the plans for the electrification of the Port Jefferson Train Line.
But, here’s the rub. The current plans for the relocation of the Port Jefferson Train yard require the realignment of the Greenway Trail, as you can see on the map above. While there is certainly room to ‘swing’ a 2,200 foot section of the trail away from the proposed rail yard, we have concerns. Will the trail be forced to move close to the neighboring homes to the south? Will the MTA build a massive, ugly, graffiti-prone wall to secure its yard? Has the MTA and the County looked at alternatives that shift the rail yard away from the trail so the Greenway can remain in its current location? County official plan to hold workshops so residents can comment on the ‘realignment’ of the trail.
This would be the time to raise questions and make comments. We’ll keep you posted!
Three Village Community Trust Board members, along with the Friends of the Greenway at the recent announcement by Senator Chuck Schumer that federal funds will help demolish the abandoned buildings at Lawrence Aviation.
With A Little Help From Our Friends
Did you know – there is a name for those low, long concrete barriers that are found in parking lots?
They’re wheel stops, and they keep cars from plowing into parked cars or restricted areas. Over the years, the wheel stops at the Setauket Trail Head and the Gnarled Hollow Trail Head received their fair share of beatings from cars, trucks, snowplows, and garbage trucks. The cracked, broken, dislodged wheel stops where a safety and asthenic issue. We brought this issue to the attention of the Long Island Department of Transportation – and they were quick to respond. We now have new, realigned wheel stops in our Trailhead parking lots. A big improvement! Thank you, LI- DOT!
Our June Cleanup
On Saturday, June 17th the Trail Steward’s had a breakfast ‘Meet Up’ followed by a Greenway cleanup. Below are some photos of our participants!
Some of our Trail Stewards – Always ready to work!
The Port Jefferson Trailhead gets some attention!
Our Summer and Fall Clean Up Schedule
Summer and Fall
- Saturday, July 15th at 9am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station and Setauket Trailhead.
- Saturday, August 12th at 9am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station and Setauket Trailhead.
- Saturday, September 9th at 9am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead
Need more information? Want to become a Trail Steward? Wish to Donate to the Greenway? Want to be on the Friends of the Greenway’s email list?
Email Herb or Charlie:
HJMones@gmail.com cfmcateer@gmail.com
Our Special Friends
Keep in mind, these special friends of the Greenway who support our efforts throughout the year! Please consider giving them your business, and mention you saw them in The Trail Mix.
Bagel Express at 15-5 Bennetts Road in Setauket. Owned and operated by David Prestia, Bagel Express generously donates the catering of our Trail Steward breakfasts. Delicious bagels, hot, steaming coffee – sooo good! For the third year in a row, The Trail Mix has voted Bagel Express #1 for breakfast and lunch, and all of your catering needs. Call 631-675-2770 or check website at Bagel Express – New York | View our menu, reviews & Order food online (bagelexpressli.com)
A Big Friend of the Trust is Swan Cove Landscaping. Swan Cove does a whole line of services – lawn maintenance, pruning, stone walls, firewood. Dave Fortuna, owner/operator, donates many, many of his services to the Trust. The result – our properties always look great! Thank you, Dave! Call 631-689-8089.
Emerald Magic Lawn Care’s horticultural consultant, Craig den Hartog has been providing flower bulbs for the Greenway over many years at “no cost.” We planted a big bulk of these bulbs at the kiosk on Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket. Craig generosity is part of his beautification effort known as Old Town Blooms. And, Craig was a driving force behind the recent Great Daffodil Dash benefiting the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville community! Why not support Emerald Magic who supports us! Call 631-286-4600, 631-804-9205.
For your yard’s beautification look to Setauket Landscape and Design. Steve Antos can help you plan and design the unique surroundings to make your property the envy of your neighborhood. His company has helped us with many large and small projects on the Trust’s historic properties. Call 631-882-7190.
Shown above is Dave Prestia, owner/operator, of Bagel Express
And lots of thanks to Bove Industries and Skyline Industries for their generous support of the Trust’s projects – they have been instrumental in our grounds restorations at the Smith/deZafra House! Bove Industries and Skyline Industries are leaders in producing materials for roads and construction products.
Randall Brothers Tree Service is always a big help and big hearted in helping the Trust! Call 631-862-9291. Marty is the Man!
Jos. M. Troffa Materials Corporation at 70 Comsewogue Road in Setauket is a very special friend. The company has every conceivable item to beautify your yard. Mulch – they got it. Grass seed – yes! Soil, gravel, shovel, – everything. Forget the big box stores – You gotta go to Troffa!
Editor in Chief – Herb Mones
