The Trail Mix

The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway

Volume 6, Issue 5 May
2026

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-three years ago to “Protect the Places You Love.” Support the Greenway by joining the Trust today! Visit: threevillagecommunitytrust.org

Say Goodbye to Winter, Hello Spring!

The cold grip of winter is slowly letting go, and warmer weather is allowing us to get out on the Greenway – to walk, run, bicycle and – work! As you will see in this issue of The Trail Mix, there is a lot going on! And, …

Yes, we are Bloomers. Emerald Magic Lawn Care’s Craig den Hartog has been providing flower bulbs for the Greenway over many years at no cost. We have been planting a big these bulbs along the Greenway. Craig generosity is part of a beautification effort known as Old Town Blooms.

Scouts out on the Greenway!

A wonderful message from Scout leader Rob DeStefano –

“Hello Charlie and Herb,

I’m happy to report that Pack 354 completed their semi-annual cleanup of their adopted section of the Greenway on Saturday. They were joined by our Troop 354 Scouts this time, and with many hands making light work, were able to not only clear their usual section along Gnarled Hollow from the auto repair shop to the top of Gnarled Hollow, but crossed Gnarled

Hollow and continued clearing east along the trail just about to the utility right of way. Attached are some photos showing the great turnout we had, and the work completed. I’m confident the Pack’s leadership (Steve and Tara copied on this email) will agree that it is our pleasure to continue our commitment to service through our partnership. I also am working to get our Troop-level Scouts to join the monthly cleanups at the trailhead by the bowling alley, so will keep you informed as I work with our Troop leadership on this.

Yours in Scouting,

Rob DeStefano”

Here are some photos from the Scout’s April cleanup:

Photos by Rob Destefano

Photos by Rob Destefano
Wow! Look at the results of the Scout’s work!

The Sun setting on Winter

Ben Brehl is one of our dedicated Trail Stewards. Here are a few photos he took of the trail as we say goodbye to winter. Thanks, Ben.

Our Spring Cleanup!

We had a terrific turnout for the April cleanup. Our enthusiastic Trail Stewards and volunteers spruced up the train, posted new literature in the kiosks, and had a generally great time! Special thanks to Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for taking the time to join us! Kudos to Charlie McAteer for always taking the lead in organizing our cleanups. Charlie is our Mr. Greenway.

Greenway in the News

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay & local leaders discuss Greenway Trail preservation at press conference

By Jack Ryan Hogan

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) held a press event on the trailhead of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway on March 28 to discuss the current progress of the trail’s preservation and its overall importance. Members of the community were invited. Several elected town officials, including civic, chamber and community leaders, went up to speak alongside Kassay.

Kassay opened the meeting by providing a brief history of the Greenway Trail, highlighting its purchase by the New York State Department of Transportation during the late 1950s. Because the trail is still being looked at as a potential future bypass, the need for legislative
action is being consistently prompted to ensure its preservation.

Legislation A-10341 was introduced by Kassay with the intention of putting a permanent conservation easement over the Greenway Trail, so that it may continue to act as a non- vehicular corridor of open space. Kassay announced that she has been pushing to make sure that this bill moves forward in Albany, with the hope that the idea of a bypass is ultimately prohibited and taken off the DOT’s books. “New York State Parks is listed as a potential holder of that conservation easement,” she stated. “The county and town are also listed as potential holders.”

Suffolk County Legislature Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) was then introduced to speak. He praised Kassay’s efforts and took time to recount the history of securing funding for the trail, and how over $7.5 million was acquired to pave it.

“There has been some confusion as to what the destiny of the trail would be,” Englebright said. “That’s why Rebecca’s initiative is so critically important.”

Port Jefferson Village Deputy Mayor Xena Ugrinsky then spoke on how much the Greenway Trail personally means to her and her grandchildren, giving praise to the volunteers who maintain its cleanliness.

“I am in extreme appreciation of the work that you do to ensure that we have fresh air and green space. And as our voice in Albany, I could not be more proud of you.”

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber President and realtor Paul Perrone discussed the trail’s positive impact on home and business values.

“I will say, I’ve sold quite a few homes both ways down the trail. When you improve the quality of life in a community, you improve home values,” Perrone said. “When you improve the business community, you improve business values, and you bring more economic stability to a community, and that helps everyone.”

Suffolk County Bike Club Association Chairperson Joseph De Palma shared his personal use of the trail for walking, hiking, and even commuting. He mentioned how much the Greenway matters in regards to community connectivity and recreation.

“It’s important that we keep projects like this for the walkable community, for the rideable community, and I cannot see the DOT having to reclaim it,” De Palma said.

Kassay concluded the meeting with a call for community input, as miniature flyers with QR codes for a survey were distributed. The survey is a Google form, its purpose being a source for people to write in and submit what exactly the Greenway Trail means to them.

The plan is to take every piece of feedback and combine it into a cover letter to be sent to the DOT, the state parks, the governor’s office, and the leadership in Albany to let them know how much the trail means to the community, and how it deserves to remain a non- vehicular transit corridor.

Additionally, a group photo of the committee and attendees was also taken to send as another message of endorsement.

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

Saturday, June 20th at 9am, Starting Location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. (Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)

Saturday, July 18th at 8:30am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Trailhead

Saturday, August 15th at 8:30am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.

Saturday, September 19th 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