Brookhaven State Park

Brookhaven State Park is a nature reserve covering about 1,600 acres (650 hectares) stretching between two highways in eastern Long Island. The landscape includes pine forests, open areas, and wetlands connected by a network of trails for different activities.

The land was originally a military installation built during World War II and later became part of Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 1971, the property was converted into a state park and opened to the public.

The park serves as a local retreat where visitors walk, cycle, and explore the natural surroundings year-round. People come here to escape daily routines and spend time outdoors in the landscape.

Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and water, as trails vary in difficulty and shade is limited throughout much of the area. Dogs are welcome in day-use zones on leashes but must stay away from playgrounds and other restricted areas.

The park protects rare coastal plain ponds and shelters a variety of plants such as flowering dogwood, wild geranium, and Christmas fern. These species are typical of the native vegetation in this region and demonstrate the ecological value of the land.