Volume 6, Issue 4, April 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

Long Island Greenway

Learn about this remarkable, exciting, and ambitious project! Take a few minutes to watch this You Tube video: https://youtu.be/x6KAPB6xJO0

In Remembrance of Bill Negra

Teacher, Environmentalist, Advocate, Friend.

As one of our first Trail Stewards, Bill Negra was a key member of the Friends of the Greenway. He was one of the ‘regulars’ at our monthly cleanups, as well as all trail related activities.

Bill was a dedicated teacher, scientist, environmentalist and good government advocate. His keen observations and quick wit enriched our lives. He was a loving husband and father.

Bill always sought to improve the world – not for himself- but for future generations. In a very real way, Bill was the Bridge Builder found in this famous poem by Will Allen Dromgoogle:

The Bridge Builder

An old man going alone on a highway,
Came, at an evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing an angry tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The angry stream was no fear to him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And began to build a bridge to span the tide…
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim nearby,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
You are old, your journey in this world will soon end,
You will never pass this way again;
You’ve already crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path that I have just come,” he said,
“There will be a youth whose feet must also pass this way.
This chasm was not a problem to me,
But, to that fair-haired youth, may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

Adapted by H. Mones

Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Negra family.

Will Allen Dromgoole 1860 -1934) was an American author and poet. She wrote over 7,501 poems; 5,000 essays; and published thirteen books.

Yes – We started a Change.org Petition

Our Greenway – Our Park

The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway is a unique 3.2 mile recreation trail located on the North Shore of Long Island. Since 2009, the Greenway has been ‘the go-to’ place for children and families to walk, run, and bicycle. It is, in a very real way a ‘linear park’ where friends and neighbors can easily connect, exercise, and enjoy nature.

The Greenway is built on a 150 foot corridor held by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT.) The land was initially acquired in the mid-1900’s by the NYSDOT for a bypass highway. With community support, state and federal funding and the cooperation of the NYSDOT, the corridor was repurposed for pedestrian usage.

Our community has invested years of stewardship, volunteer time, and public support into making the Greenway an essential part of the Three Village and Port Jefferson Station area. Millions and millions of New York State and Federal tax dollars were dedicated to the buildout of the Greenway which supports public health, protects the environment, provides safe routes for children and the character of our neighborhoods.

It is now time for the Greenway to be incorporated into the state, or county or town park system – elevating its care, status and alleviating any concerns, however remote, that the NYSDOT will ‘remove’ the Greenway for a highway.

The Friends of the Greenway is an active, local association of trail volunteers. Some of the Members of the Friends served on the Greenway Task Force that was instrumental in the planning and design of the trail twenty-five years ago. Today, the Friends serve as the stewards of the trail – organizing cleanups, mowing the trail, guiding Scouting projects along the trail, and advocating for the protection and preservation of our public’s use of the corridor.

The Greenway has always depended on many partners – Scouts, school groups, our Trail Stewards, etc. We are especially thankful to New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, County Legislator Steven Englebright, and Town Councilman Johnathan Kornreich for their support over the years. They are “regulars” at our Greenway’s monthly cleanup and serve as champions for the advocacy of the Greenway – the place you love.

At this time, the Greenway needs to move from being part of the state’s transportation department to becoming part of our area’s public park system.

By this Petition we are asking that all elected officials – on the Town, County, and State level – work towards establishing the more appropriate ‘park designation’ for the Greenway.

Doing so would:

Permanently protect the Greenway as public parkland.
Create an enduring and forever Greenway for our children.
Remove concerns that the Greenway could be used as an alternative highway to NYS Route 25A.
Protect the millions of dollars in taxpayer funding used to build the Greenway.
Preserve the thousands of volunteer hours over the decades devoted to maintaining, protecting and enhancing the trail.

Sign the Petition today –

Our Greenway-Our Park https://c.org/Dqdvx2mVcC

Our Spring Clean-up is on Saturday, April 18th.

An Earth Day Celebration!

Spring/Summer/Fall 2026 Schedule

Spring

Saturday, April 18th at 9am, as part of the Earth Day Celebrations– Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
Saturday, 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

A Good Read from our parent organization – the Three Village Community Trust

March 2, 2026

Re: Supportive Statement/Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway

Dear Assemblywoman Kassay:

Our community has invested years of stewardship, volunteer time, and public support into making the Greenway an essential part of the Three Village and Port Jefferson Station area. Millions and millions of New York State and Federal tax dollars were dedicated to the buildout of the Greenway – which supports public health, protects the environment, provides safe routes for children and the character of our neighborhoods.

Below are a number of important observations about the Greenway. These insights are based on my role as Chair of the Greenway Task Force, which dedicated ten years to the

planning and design the Greenway. I am also a founding Board member, and past president of the Three Village Community Trust, which holds the Memorandum of Understanding for the stewardship of the Greenway. Also, I am a past chairman, and longtime member, of the Friends of the Greenway, an active arm of the Trust that helps with the monitoring and upkeep of the trail.

The planning and design of the Greenway was a ten year undertaking – from 1999-2009.
The Greenway Task Force was compromised of elected govt officials, leaders of civic and service groups, members of hiking and bicycling clubs, as well as the staff of Long Island’s NYS DOT.
In the planning process, the Greenway Task Force used multiple approaches in community outreach: neighborhood meetings, civic and service group presentations, newspaper updates, newsletter articles, etc.
The members of the Greenway Task Force recognized two realities – true then and now – the NYSDOT bypass corridor’s best usage was for a multiple-modality trail.
The Greenway was funded by both New York State and federal tax dollars.
The ‘startup’ of the Greenway reflects two significant investments – taxpayer funds and time.
Since the Phase 1 opening of the Greenway, thousands of hours have been dedicated to the Greenway by trail stewards, community groups, volunteers, Scouting groups, etc.
Currently, the Greenway is home to more than twenty (20) Eagle Scout projects. Each of these projects represent a significant commitment of the participating scout, their family and community-planning partners.
The Greenway has served a wide number of diverse user groups: the Reserve Officer Training Corp, running groups, fundraising walks to fight breast and pancreatic cancer, etc.
The Greenway is a recommended site for exercise for those recovering from heart surgery due to the number and positioning of the benches along the trail.
The Greenway has become an integral part of nearby neighborhoods- a place for morning jogs, dog walking, children bicycling, evening strolls.
The NYSDOT has highlighted the Greenway as one of its achievements in the design and construction of non-vehicle transportation.
Often overlooked is the Greenway’s environmental significance in establishing a natural space for migration/movement of woodland animals, something that would be severely diminished by any highway.
The Greenway is a valuable and complimentary corridor to the three large undeveloped County parks that are adjacent to the Greenway.
The Greenway serves as a model for future community trails.

The Greenway has always depended on many partners – Scouts, school groups, our Trail Stewards, etc. It should be noted that you, along with Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright, and Brookhaven Town Councilman Johnathan Kornreich are “regulars” at the Greenway’s monthly cleanups and serve as champions for the advocacy of the Greenway.

At this time, the Greenway needs to move from being part of the state’s transportation department to becoming part of our area’s public park system.

With best regards,

Herb Mones

April kicks off the Three Village Community Trust’s Annual Simply De-Vine Awareness Campaign. Let’s keep the Greenway ‘Ivy-less.’

The British are Coming!

The British are coming, the British are coming! Everyone remembers those famous words of Paul Revere’s midnight ride as he warned that British troops approaching Lexington and Concord. Each year we recognize April 19th as Patriots Day – marking both the Battles of Lexington and Concord and our eventual success in overthrowing the yoke of British control.

We certainly had reason to oust the Mad King. Its clearly states in the Declaration of Independence that the “history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” Well, that had to stop! And in the course of time ‘We the people” would sever our ties with those Brits!!

But … did we ever really, really oust them? I think not. You see, while we did establish our independence following the “Shot heard ‘round the world,” the British still seem to be having a day of it here their former colonies! You see, they left us an invader – their pervasive, persistent, and invasive weed now dominating our North Shore landscape – yes, I’m talking English Ivy.

It seems at one time some early settlers yearned for little reminders of their former homeland and imported English Ivy for their gardens. Lush, hardy, and fast growing – what was there not to like?

Well, there is a lot to dislike. Exhibit A:

Is this really a tree? Or have the English turned it into a vine?

English Ivy is an invasive species that quickly crowds our native plants and reduces the natural habitat for animals. It inhibits the growth of understory plants as it spreads along the ground and ‘carpets’ woodlands, creating at the same time a perfect refuge for tick bearing rodents. The ivy will kill both understory and overstory trees by shading them from sunlight. Ivy can damage trees by the added weight of their canopy. The dense ivy on the trees often acts as a ‘sail’ and snaps trees when there is high wind. Ivy uses the water and soil nutrients that would otherwise benefit trees. And, while some English Ivy ‘Loyalists’ maintain that the invasive only ‘kills’ or ‘topples’ already weakened trees, it is certainly the old question of the Cornish chicken or the egg – how much is English Ivy contributing to weakening of our trees and causing its demise?

Interestingly, an important reason the British maintained its control on Long Island throughout the Revolution was for its abundant supply of cordwood to burn at its headquarters in New York City.

In this year of America 250, let’s be sure we don’t allow the Brits the upper hand by taking our trees again with their insidious ivy.

Fellow Patriots – let’s get to work and sever our ties to…English Ivy.

Greenway Forever

On Saturday, March 28th, NYS Assemblywoman Kassay held a press conference to discuss the next steps she is taking to preserve the Greenway from any possible ‘highway buildout.’

With 60-80 Greenway enthusiasts present, the Assemblywoman discussed her proposed legislation to establish an protective easement on the property.

At the press conference, Charlie McAteer, Chairman of the Friends of the Greenway, discussed the importance of preserving our community’s ‘linear park.’

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

Volume 6, Issue 4, April 2026

Long Island Greenway