The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway
Volume 5, Issue 6 June 2025
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 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-two years ago to “Protect the Places You Love.” Support the Greenway by joining the Trust today! Visit: threevillagecommunitytrust.org
Now, here’s a story …
Who you gonna call?
The Greenway had a problem this Spring – leaves, debris and sand had built up over the winter on the edges of the trail. This was particularly true in the area east of the Setauket Trail Head. What to do? Well, we called Scout leader Rob DeStefano of Pack 354. This is what we wrote:
“We’re reaching out to the Pack to see if they can help on a ‘needy’ section of the Greenway.
The section that needs attention is the stretch at the Setauket Trailhead, off NYS Route 25A/Limroy Drive. There are accumulated leaves on the edge of the trail, and the ‘wheel stops’ need to be moved back into place. (See photos)
Any help would be appreciated, though I’m sure you have many other projects.”
Well, Rob and Pack 354 went into action and wrote back:
“I am happy to report recent trail cleanup support!
On April 6th, Cub Scout Pack 354 completed their semiannual cleanup of their adopted section of the Greenway (section just West of Gnarled Hollow Road from the top of the hill to the trail parking just South of the train bridge Earlier today, April 27th, Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America) Troop 354 completed a cleanup as requested by Herb, from the Limroy Lane trailhead to Gnarled Hollow Road. It is an honor to be called upon to support the Friends of the Greenway, and as Charlie and I discussed mid-month, I am working with the Troop leadership and Scouts to enlist some Troop Scouts to join the Friends at the monthly Saturday morning cleanups in Port Jefferson Station.
Attached are a few photos from each day, with the sun today and the rainy weather photos from the Pack on April 6th.
Yours in Scouting,
Rob DeStefano”
Here’s something that will make you smile – one of our Trail Steward’s visited the Greenway soon after all this work was done and wrote:
“What is … incredible is the work that was done sometime between this past Sunday and Monday on the section between Gnarled Hollow and Renaissance. It almost seems like a street sweeper came in there to scrape up and push back the built up dirt and leaves that were encroaching so much on the sides.”
That wasn’t a street sweeper – it was Pack 354!
Our 2025 Monthly Cleanup Schedule
Summer/Fall
- Saturday, June 21st at 9am, Starting Location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. (Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)
- Saturday, July 19th at 8:30am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station and Setauket Trailhead.
- Saturday, August 16th at 8:30am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
- Saturday, September 20th at 9am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. (Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)
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 at HJMones@gmail.com or Charlie at cfmcateer@gmail.com
Volunteers Come Out to the Greenway Trail cleanup
The following article recently appeared in the Village Times Herald
Friends of the Greenway Chairman Charlie McAteer (left) and cleanup day volunteer David Wang (right) sort through debris from the trail. Photo by Caroline O’Callaghan
By Caroline O’Callaghan
On the morning of April 19, the Three Village Community Trust Friends of the Greenway gathered for its first monthly cleanup of the season, at the entrance of the New York State Department of Transportation parking lot in Port Jefferson Station.
Volunteers contributed their thoughts on how to best protect the environment of the almost 3-mile-long trail. Charlie McAteer, chairman of Friends of the Greenway, explained how waste management is dispersed among various municipalities throughout the trail. “When you talk about garbage cans, that’s a town garbage can, and that is collected by the town during the weekly garbage pickup,” McAteer said, pointing to a garbage can on a corner at the start of the trail.
Friends of the Greenway steward and cleanup day volunteer Susan Colatosti collects litter. Photo by Caroline O’Callaghan
“This is a NYSDOT garbage can, and they’ll come pick it up accordingly,” McAteer continued to explain, now pointing to the DOT’s garbage can be situated in the parking lot.
The majority of the cross streets at the Greenway Trail have town garbage cans on each corner, which helps to reduce the mounting litter that gets accumulated during the off-season. However, some volunteers have resorted to handling the issue on their own, according to Greenway Trail steward of 20 years Susan Colatosti.
“Whether it’s Earth Day or not, I’m out here. I walk it almost every day, and pick up litter as I go,” Colatosti said. When asked if plans to get more garbage cans for the trail were in the works, Colatosti stated that it was unlikely. “It’s already a job to get the town carter to pick them up on a regular basis. I’m sure they don’t want the responsibility of picking up more cans. Occasionally, I monitor it and I check if they haven’t been emptied, and I reach out to them [the town] to come and empty the overflowing garbage. I don’t think more cans are going to happen, but at least we have cans at most of the crossings, which is a big help.”
In recent years, the trail has been extended to the North Shore Rail Trail in Wading River, which has prompted more organizations and town officials to get involved in its upkeep. Rotary Club of Port Jefferson Rotarian Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D, NY4) came out to the cleanup to volunteer with her dog, Utah.
Kassay revealed a potential project to support cleanup efforts further, “I’ve been talking about an inter-rotary effort to perhaps put more dog bag stations throughout the Greenway — all the way from East Setauket well-beyond Port Jefferson, out East in the ‘new leg’ [Wading River] of the Greenway. It’s great to be a part of a group that’s just keeping this beautiful safe place for people to recreate and keep improving upon it.”
Many of the volunteers who came out to the event were residents who expressed concern for the wildlife in which the trail houses, such as Friends of the Greenway Aaron Hoffman. “There’s tons of deer and birds. They have a beautiful life here,” said Hoffman, adding that the accessibility of the trail has allowed him to experience and stay connected to Port Jefferson Station. “Hopefully we can keep the Greenway around for years because not only do the animals need it, but we need it for our peace and serenity.
Note: Wow – Trail Steward Susan Colatosti was featured on the cover of the Port Jefferson Record!!
Memorial Day Watch Zone
The Trust’s special gathering at this year’s Memorial Day Parade!
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)
Emily Riley Design631-512-3330 emilyrileydesign.com
Emily Riley of Emily Riley Design knows plants and landscaping. Using the latest understanding of natural, native and sustainable landscaping methods, Emily can transform your yard into a magical setting that lasts for years and years. As a landscape designer, Emily has been a generous donor of both time, energy and materials to a host of Trust projects!
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.Why not support Emerald Magic, who supports us! Call 631-286-4600, 631-804-9205.
Steve Antos – He can do it all!
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.
And – A BIG thank you to Northville Industries for their help in mowing the Greenway! We appreciate your support in making the Greenway GREAT!
Editor in Chief – Herb Mones
