The Trail Mix

A newsletter for and about the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway
Volume 4, Issue 3
March 2024

The Trail Mix is the monthly newsletter of The Friends of the Greenway. We established this bulletin to keep you 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 Greenway is part of The Three Village Community Trust. The Trust was established more than twenty years ago to “Protect the Places You Love.” Support the Greenway today by joining the Trust today!

Our Annual Membership Drive is Now in Progress! Join Today!

Rerouting the Greenway

As many of you know, the abandoned Lawrence Aviation site that is adjacent to a portion of the Greenway has captured a lot of headlines over the past year: Millions Dedicated to Building Removal, Suffolk County Landbank Acquires Superfund Site, and Demolition Begins at Old Aviation Manufacturing Plant.

At this time, the MTA has agreed, in principle, to purchase a portion of the Lawrence Aviation site to relocate the Port Jefferson Station Train Station and Rail Yard. This is an important step in the plan to electrify the line; creating a faster, more efficient and cleaner-energy transportation service on the north shore. The remaining portions of the Lawrence Aviation property would be used as a solar farm and open space.

It is reasonable to expect that any plan to build a new Port Jefferson Train Station and a large Rail Yard will result in the realignment of a section the Greenway. This prospect has been expected by us, the Friends of the Greenway and its parent organization, the Three Village Community Trust. This rerouting will require some careful planning to maintain the positive trail experience that we have come to expect over the past years. Thinking about the realignment – here are some of our “Rerouting Requirements”-

We would expect that the realignment would seamlessly blend with the configuration of the current trail- no harsh turns or zig-zags.
The trail would be easily accessible from the new Port Jefferson Train Station.
The Rail Yard’s security structures (fence, walls, etc) are constructed in such a way that they complement our attractive trail and are not an eyesore. This also means that security barriers built in such a way that don’t become ugly ‘graffiti walls’ that distracts to the current Greenway experience. Importantly, the new section would be landscaped to shield it from the sight of the rail yard.
The rerouting maintains a significant natural buffer with adjoining homeowners.
And lastly, we hope the MTA/LIRR will be active and communicative partners with the Friends of the Greenway and the Three Village Community Trust throughout the rerouting process, and in the years ahead.

With the above steps in mind, the rerouting will be a win-win for everyone.

To All Greenway Users: The Three Village Community Trust’s 2024 Membership Drive is Now in Progress

The Trust now enters its twenty-first year of “Protecting the Places You Love!” The success of the Trust, and the Friends of the Greenway, over the past decades has only been possible because of people like YOU! At this time, we hope you will continue your support us by renewing your membership, and if you are not a member – please join us!

The Smith/deZafra House in Setauket. Brookhaven’s first Town Hall.

Our all-volunteer organization relies heavily on memberships for the funding needed to protect our “museum collection” of historical homes and improve sites like the 3.2 mile Setauket to Port Jefferson Greenway and Patriots Rock Historic Site. In 2023, your membership fees enabled us to complete a major restoration of the grounds at the Smith/deZafra House in Setauket – Brookhaven’s first Town Hall, as well as many repairs at the historic Tyler House!

Please join by visiting us at: threevillagecommunitytrust.org

Zelle users can go to tvcommtrust@optonline.net to make their membership payment.

Annual Membership Meeting

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet members of the Friends of the Greenway and the Three Village Community Trust on Wednesday, March 13th at 7pm. We’ll gather at the Setauket Neighborhood House to discuss a broad range of issues, including the Greenway. The Annual Meeting is an informal, fun way to ‘keep in touch’ with the going-ons in the community!
Refreshments will be served!

We’ll be in the Lakeside Room at the beautiful Neighborhood House for the Annual Meeting! It will be fun!

2024 Trail Stewardship Program

Enjoy the Greenway? Like to ‘give back?’ Want to be part of a larger community of trail enthusiasts? Do you want to improve your neighborhood and community?

If so – it may be time for you to become a Trail Steward by joining the Adopt-A-Trail Program sponsored by The Friends of the Greenway. As a Trail Steward you will be part of a team of volunteers that help to maintain the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway. Your work will assure that the Greenway remains a popular and well-used recreational resource for young and old.

The Adopt-a-Trail Program allows YOU to select a portion of the trail and maintain it throughout the year. And, you can work according to your own schedule and at your own pace.

Some very general guidelines for Trail Stewards:

Select a portion of the Greenway – it can be a small or large section. It is best to select an area that is close to your home or is an area you enjoy visiting. It can be fun to adopt an area with a friend or two!
As a Trail Steward of the Greenway, visit your section as often as your schedule allows. Maintain the area much like you would your own backyard. Keep the area free of litter and debris.
Keep a log of your time/date and activities on the trail. Email your log to the Friends of the Greenway in September.
Alert the Friends of the Greenway of any problems or issues. (For example: downed tree or branches on the trail.)
You can make recommendations to the Friends of the Greenway for the enhancement of your section.
As a Trail Steward, you are encouraged to involve your friends, family, and neighborhood in the maintenance of your section. Community participation is an important part of preserving and protecting the Greenway.
Please note: Any major physical changes to the Greenway – benches, tree planting, etc. – needs the approval of the Friends of the Greenway, the Three Village Community Trust and the New Your State Department of Transportation.
We often assign two or more groups to a section. This helps make trail maintenance easier for everyone!
Help with the scheduled Monthly Volunteer Clean-ups whenever possible.
The Adopt-A-Trail Program is a one-year commitment running through the calendar year. We will ask if you wish to renew your participation at the end of the year. (If you are unable to remain active in your service to the Greenway, simply contact the Friends of the Greenway.)

Participants in the Adopt-a-Trail program are recognized by a posting in our kiosks and are invited to our Annual Membership Meeting in March for special recognition. We recommend that you become a member of the Three Village Community Trust. Visit: www.threevillagecommunitytrust.org

Friends of the Greenway contact information:

tvcommtrust@optonline.net
HJmones@gmail.com Herb Mones
cfmcateer@gmail.com Charlie McAteer

You Never Know What You’ll See On The Greenway

This mini-birdhouse hangs near the Setauket kiosk. Nice!

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.

Shown above is Dave Prestia, owner/operator, of Bagel Express

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 has recently retired, but his longtime employee Wander Aleman is now the new and capable owner/operator. Swan Cove donates many, many of 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.

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!

Maeder Landscaping and Snow, Ltd. is a really great choice for your all of your yard’s needs. Rest your back, spend more time with your friends and family – give them a call at 631-988-9211.

Editor in Chief – Herb Mones