The Trail Mix
The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway
Volume 6, Issue 8
July 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-two years ago to “Protect the Places You Love.” Support the Greenway by joining the Trust today! Visit: threevillagecommunitytrust.org
As many of you know, The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway was always venerable to development into a highway. As a property of the New York State’s Department of Transportation (NYS-DOT), there was the possibility the trail would someday be ‘repurposed’ into a bypass from Setauket to Port Jefferson Station. Even though the Greenway has been hugely popular, and the millions of taxpayer dollars were spent to build out the Greenway, the NYS-DOT remained adamant that they might someday replace the trail with a roadway. After all, roads are the business of the NYS-DOT.
Thankfully, legislation spearheaded by NYS Assemblywoman Kassay now protects the Greenway – Forever!
Read this excellent article from the Three Village Times:
Governor Hochul Signs Greenway Bill, Removing Obstacle to Electrify Rail
By Daniel Dunaief
The Setauket Port Jefferson Station Greenway Bill finally blossomed into law earlier this week.
At a signing ceremony in Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown, a jubilant Governor Kathy Hochul (D) signed into law a bill championed by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) and State Senators Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) and Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk).
The law provides protection in perpetuity for the 3.4 mile section of the Greenway that was part of the former Lawrence Aviation site.
Governor Kathy Hochul signs Lawrence Aviation Bill at Caleb Smith State Park. (Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
“This is the kind of project I love the most,” Hochul said at a press conference while flanked by local officials including County Executive Ed Romaine (R). People should “be able to walk and run and spend time with family” in the Greenway. “Today, we’re going to sign a bill that would protect access to nature.”
Local leaders celebrated a law that would keep the Department of Transportation from building a bypass through the Greenway, while also serving as a recreational center and a place that supports the local economy and brings people from a range of communities together.
The Greenway “unites Port Jefferson station to Port Jefferson, it unites the Comsewogue School District to the Three Village School District and it unites the Setauket and Three villages to our neighbors,” said Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket). “We’re all in this together and the Greenway underscores that.”
Hochul, Englebright and others credited Assemblywoman Kassay with pushing tirelessly for a law that would protect the Greenway and provide future opportunities to create a new Long Island Railroad rail yard in Port Jefferson that could enable a long-awaited electrification of the Port Jefferson branch, which currently uses much more polluting and louder diesel trains.
Kassay is “a hometown hero” who realized how to make all the moving parts work and “stuck out her neck and did the right thing” to write the bill in the assembly and push for the votes and the support of the governor, Englebright said.
“This should eliminate entirely the anxiety about the future of the Greenway,” said Kassay, who learned that she had to stick to the goal until the end to “make sure that [the bill] is staying on track.”
Kassay suggested the Greenway, which she described as an “oasis,” has improved property values and gives children a safe place to learn how to ride bicycles and for children and adults to jog and exercise.
In the press conference, Martinez described the signing as a “great day” for Long Island and Suffolk County. She lauded Kassay, her partner in the assembly, for being a staunch advocate for the area and for relentlessly pushing for a senate vote on the bill.
Hochul likened the protection of the Greenway to a project in her home town of Hamburg, when she fought to preserve a beloved local establishment called J.P. Fitzgerald’s when a proposed road project threatened its future.
She threatened to stand in front of the bulldozers to prevent the Department of Transportation from ripping the heart out of the community by removing an establishment that was the equivalent of a “Cheers” in her hometown. Even today, the road makes a gentle curve around the bar.
“I was really moved by the governor’s reflection on her own service,” said Kassay, who received the first pen the governor used to sign the “K” in her first name. The story showed the importance of “listening to local voices. That was a really powerful introduction.”
The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail. Photo by Heidi Sutton
The Greenway law eliminates a potential Department of Transportation 25A bypass, which could have prevented the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s $10 purchase of land from the Suffolk County Landbank.
If and when the MTA acquires the property, it could start exploring ways to create a rail yard.
MTA Media Liaison Joana Flores confirmed that the authority is working with the governor’s office and Suffolk County.
“I would like to see” the creation of an electrified Port Jefferson line track happen “in my lifetime,” said Hochul. In fact, she hoped it might even happen while she’s governor.
Such a project, which would require considerable expenses from the MTA, would create cleaner air, cleaner water and quieter trains, she said.
Kassay is pleased that the governor suggested such a project could happen within Hochul’s tenure as governor.
County Executive Romaine was pleased the governor came to Smithtown to sign the law.
He also lauded the bipartisan support for such an important project, as well as the ongoing efforts by groups like Friends of the Greenway, which are dedicated to ensuring the ongoing stewardship of an important space that improves the quality of life for residents.
“All elected officials have an affirmative obligation once elected to work across party lines to accomplish things that improve the lives of the residents they represent,” he said.
Englebright, who has focused on the Greenway for decades, lauded the range of officials and the support involved in helping support and pass this effort.
Kassay, Hochul and Romaine were “all displaying today the superb sense of place that each of them brings to the position they hold,” Englebright said. “I was proud of all of them. It was a good day” for leadership and for the residents in the area who will benefit from the Greenway and from the possible ongoing effort to modernize the Port Jefferson train line.
Romaine remains committed to ensuring that the MTA takes the next steps in a process that has been far too slow for him and for others in the county.
“Not only should the rail yard be built, but we should make plans to electrify the Port Jefferson line,” he said. “We need a modern rail line here.”
Romaine also urged the MTA to expand to a double track in the area and to increase the volume of goods transported by freight trains, which would reduce traffic on roadways.
Our July Cleanup
Saturday, July 18th was an amazing day. Our regularly scheduled cleanup was bolstered by being selected to be part of Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s Monthly Mission Series/ The result: we had a big, big turnout of volunteers. At the start of the morning activities, we celebrated the recent legislation protecting the Greenway – Forever. Thank you to all the participants!
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
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
