The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway
Volume 5, Issue 7 July 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!
Imagine a greenway that traveled the length of Long Island. Yes, a ribbon of safe, protected land for bicyclists, walkers and joggers to use to travel across our island. That’s the exciting plan of the Trust for Public Land. We thought we would share the thought of the Trust for Public Land, as found on their website:
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 – leaving out more than 8 million New Yorkers who live east of Manhattan on the arm of Long Island.
Now, 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 27 key communities 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.
Utility corridors owned by a public authority (like railroad and power companies) already exist, and these wide pathways offer a simple solution to building an off-road trail. By turning utility corridors into a trail for walkers, joggers, bikers and others, we can increase wellness, safety, fun and connectivity for millions of people. It’s an idea backed up with evidence from rail-to-trail programs across this country. Now it is Long Island’s turn.
Trust for Public Land is leading the development of the Long Island Trail and mobilizing support for our plan. The Long Island Greenway will be the safe and trusted route for commuters on their way to work, and the place where parents teach their kids to first ride a bike. It will be a place where memories are made.
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.
Sounds Great! You can help support the Long Island Greenway by signing a petition to build the Greenway:
Want more information: Visit – https://www.tpl.org/ or simply search: LI Greenway
A Great Summer Clean Up
Our June cleanup on the Greenway was a great success! Wow – we had more than twenty Trail Stewards and community volunteers attending the event. Charlie McAteer (aka Johnny Appleseed) donated some small trees that were planted in the small meadow near the Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. The trail is looking great due to the efforts of our “Green Team!” Thanks and kudos to:
Ben Brehl
Emma Carlson
Shannon Carlson
Susan Colatosti
Dave Wang
Brian Cohen
Charlie McAteer
Holden Cone
Chauncy Cone
Stephanie Alwais
Rob Alwais
Steven Alwaris
Matthew Alwais
Sophia Bodoy
Sophia Pollina
Layla Jones
Rob DeStefamo
Matt Moran
Lily Moran
Nicky Moran
Kristina Moran
The Greenway Team!
Congratulations Nicholas!
Nicholas Comito of Troop 204 recently became an Eagle Scout. Nicholas has been a friend of the Greenway for a number of years! His work has improved the trail for our entire community. Shown below is Nicholas receiving a special ‘thank-you’ and an award certificate from the Chairman of the Friends of the Greenway, Charlie McAteer.
~ Three Village Community Trust ~
“Protecting the Places You Love”
2025 Leadership and Service Award
Presented in Grateful Appreciation to
Nicholas Comito Eagle Scout – Boy Scout Troop 204
The Three Village Community Trust recognizes the many selfless contributions made by Nicholas Comito to both the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway and the North Shore communities of Long Island. Nicholas’ work on the Greenway trail includes safety installations and improvements for those with handicapping conditions.
There is no greater joy than building a better world. – Author unknown
Support the Greenway – Get you tickets now!
It’s the 10th Annual Chicken Hill BBQ – Saturday, August 23rd
Join members of the Friends of the Greenway at the Three Village Community Trust’s headquarters on Saturday, August 23rd. This fundraiser is a wonderful way to support the Greenway and have a great time! Live music, food, raffle baskets, tours and …the ever-popular chicken races.
Tickets now on sale now! Click here!
Our 2025 Monthly Cleanup Schedule
*Next Cleanup – Saturday, July 19th
Spring
Saturday, May 17th at 9am (Date subject to change) To be held in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven’s 2022 Great Annual Clean Up – Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
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
A Walkable Community
Vision Long Island advances more livable, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible growth on Long Island through Smart Growth. Smart Growth focuses on infill, re-development, and open space preservation. It supports mixed-use, mixed-income communities that are convenient, attractive, pedestrian-friendly, and that make affordable housing and public transportation desirable and realistic. Each year, Vision Long Island recognizes leaders and organizations that create a better Long Island. At Vision Long Island’s recent awards ceremony, the Friends of the Greenway, the Three Village Community Trust, and the architect of the trail, Steve Englebright were celebrated for building a better, more walkable community for all.
Passport to Historical and Cultural Sites
Just released by the Three Village Community Trust is the Passport to Historical and Cultural Sites. With more than 60 pages of our area’s historical and cultural sites, along with a map, checkoff list and cut-out symbols – kids of all ages can immerse themselves in a Summer long adventure of discovery and learning. Fun and educational for all!
We’ll have free copies of the Passport available to you at our cleanups!
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
