Volume 6, Issue 2

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day. And… show a little love by renewing your membership to the Three Village Community Trust- the parent organization of the Friends of the Greenway!

Protecting our Linear Park

As many of you know, the Greenway was built on a 150’ corridor originally intended to be a four-lane highway from Setauket to Port Jefferson Station. To this day, the possibility that the NYS-DOT, owners of this land, could revert to their plans to build the bypass. Below is a letter sent by the Three Village Civic Association regarding this issue. Read on!

Three Village Civic Association
PO Box 2432
Setauket, NY 11733
thecivicassociation@gmail.com

January 13, 2026

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright
36 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733
Steven.Englebright@suffolkcountyny.gov

Re: The Setauket to Port Jefferson Greenway

Dear Suffolk County Legislator Englebright,

As you know, The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway is one of our community’s most valued treasures – a 3 ½ mile corridor used every day by hundreds and hundreds of residents to safely commute, exercise, walk, run, and enjoy nature. Free from motorized vehicles, the Greenway has grown in use and popularity with children and families, and is today, arguably, the most used recreational amenity in the Stony Brook, Setauket, East Setauket, and Port Jefferson Station area. The success of the Greenway serves as a model for other greenbelt proposals throughout Long Island; Suffolk County’s nearby, 11 mile North Shore Rail Trail certainly took its inspiration from the scenic and widely used Greenway

The Greenway was built, beginning in 2009, on a 150’ corridor owned by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT.) It was your vision as a State Assemblyman that galvanized our civic association, environmentalists, good government activists and stakeholders to advocate for the Greenway, rather than a highway on this corridor that touches on multiple neighborhoods. The New York State Department of Transportation was a partner, at the time, in helping establish the Greenway.

However, there is now the unfortunate possibility that the NYSDOT could decide sometime in the future to remove the trail and build a bypass/highway extending Setauket to Port

Jefferson Station. This ‘build out’ would destroy surrounding neighborhoods, devastate the economic viability of both downtown Setauket and Port Jefferson Village, squander an eight million dollar investment of taxpayers money spent in the planning and constructing of the Greenway, and ‘pave over ‘a valued resource that has come to define the Three Villages.

This is simply unacceptable to the community.

Our association strongly believes immediate action is needed to preserve the trail. The recent veto by Governor Kathy Hochul of the legislation titled NY S08349 makes local action all the more urgent. We urge you to propose legislation to transfer the ownership of the Greenway from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Suffolk County Department of Parks, thus preserving in perpetuity our existing ‘linear park’. This transfer to Suffolk County Parks would have an added benefit: allowing the MTA to move forward on plans to use the former Lawrence Aviation site to modernize their LIRR Port Jefferson Branch without the apparent obstacles and continual ‘roadblocks’ by the New York State Department of Transportation.

We look forward to your response in resolving this issue so that future generations of Long Islanders can continue to enjoy a strong and connected ‘Greenway’ community.

Sincere Regards,

Peter St. Germaine
President, Three Village Civics Association

A Long Island Greenway in the Works!

The Trust for Public Lands continues to work towards the building of the Long Island Greenway. The Trail Mix has been following this project for several years.

As many of you know, in 2020, New York State opened the Empire State Trail, a continuous 750-mile multiuse trail that spans the state from Plattsburgh in the north and Buffalo in the west. Those trails connect in Albany, in the center of the state, and continue south to the Battery at the tip of Manhattan.

But it ends there! It leaves out more than 8 million New Yorkers who live on Long Island.

According to the Public Trust: A plan is in motion to change that by creating the Long Island Greenway, a new trail that will stretch east from Manhattan all the way to Montauk and link residents of Long Island (including Brooklyn and Queens) to the Empire State Trail. The Long Island Greenway is slated to run nearly 200 miles, connecting 90 communities within a 10-minute walk, and 26 existing parks in the process. The greenway will be 60 percent off-road, offering a refreshing way to travel between these communities—or all the way out of the city for those seeking a longer adventure.

The Long Island Greenway will be developed in five sections:

• Section 1: Eisenhower Park to Brentwood State Park, 25 miles

• Section 2: South Fork, Riverhead to Montauk, 50 miles

• Section 3: Riverhead to Brentwood, 40 miles

• Section 4: Riverhead to Orient Point, 35 miles

• Section 5: Manhattan Connection, 38 miles

With ongoing community outreach and support throughout each section development, construction of the trail’s first 25 miles will begin in 2026.

With that said, you’re help is needed. Danny Gold, the point person for the Long Island Greenway, needs you to send a support letter to let the Governor and a key legislator.

Please add your name to the attached support letter (feel free to personalize it) and send it to:
ramosp@nyassembly.gov
thalia.olaya@ny.gov (Governor’s office)
And cc: danny.gold@tpl.org

Here’s the letter:

Dear Ms. Olaya and Assemblyman Ramos:

For me, the Long Island Greenway project starts with safety. On Long Island, car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children, and too many families feel they have no safe place for kids to bike or walk without being next to fast-moving traffic. We urgently need safe, off-road paths where children can ride a bike, families can walk together, and commuters can travel without putting their lives at risk.

The Long Island Greenway would provide a safe, trusted route for people commuting to work, a place where parents can teach their kids to ride a bike, and a space where communities across the Island can connect. It’s not just a trail—it’s infrastructure that saves lives, improves public health, and gives people real alternatives to driving.

I’m especially encouraged by the County’s leadership on this project and excited that the first phase of the Long Island Greenway is slated to begin construction this year. That progress shows what’s possible when the State, County, and local partners work together to deliver real, visible improvements for residents.

For me personally, the Greenway matters because [add one sentence here: where you live, how you’d use it, or who in your family would benefit].

More than 3 million New Yorkers live on Long Island. We deserve modern, safe, and accessible infrastructure that reflects how people actually want to live—healthier, more connected, and less dependent on dangerous roadways.

I urge you to continue supporting the Long Island Greenway and help ensure this project keeps moving forward.

Your Name

Cleanup Schedule –

Spring/Summer/Fall 2026

Spring

• Saturday, April 18th at 9am, As part of the Earth Day Celebrations- Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
• Saturday, Tentatively May 16th at 9am , To be held in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven’s 2022 Great Annual Clean Up – Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. Refreshments will be served.

Summer/Fall

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

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!

Northville Industries

We are appreciative of Northville Industries’ big, big help in mowing the Greenway throughout the past year. Their partnership with the Three Village community helps make the Greenway a special place for all!

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.

The Three Village Community Trust
A community of volunteers working to “Protect the Places You Love.”

Trust properties and stewardships include: The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway, Patriots Rock Historic Site, The Immigrant Factory Worker Houses, the Hawkins Homestead, the Smith/de Zafra House, the Bruce House, the Steven D. Mathews Preserve, The Little Red House, the Dr. Robert and Julia de Zafra Estate, and the Tyler House.

Trust programs and outreaches include: The Trail Steward Program, The Little Food Pantry, Chicken Hill Country Picnic, Annual Winter Coat Drive, Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, Patriots Rock Program – Culper Spy Day, Maria’s No Mow May, Simply De-Vine Awareness Program, Annual Ukrainian Relief Drive, The Trail Mix Newsletter, monthly Greenway Cleanups, Earth Day Celebration, The Trust’s Photo Letter, and the Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project.

The Trust is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization of all volunteers dedicated to Protecting the Places You Love.

PO Box 2596, Setauket, New York 11733