A Mike Who Likes to Hike

Frank Melville Memorial Park

Location: Setauket, NY

Size: 24 acres

Date of hike: Aug. 25, 2017

Frank Melville Memorial Park is a small parcel with everything from an old post office to a simulated grist mill – and, of course, hiking trails. Albeit, very short hiking trails. In fact, I was unsure whether I should even blog about it, because it seems like the kind of park that attracts couples going on romantic strolls or families walking with dogs or strollers, as opposed to hardcore hikers. But what the heck. After all, it's a very pretty park, and I'd already visited it and taken pics. Plus, I loved every second there, and I'm sure you will too.

Before exploring, I learned about the history and habitats of Frank Melville Memorial Park, which is apparently a privately-run park that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The park, which has two pretty ponds and killer views of Conscience Bay, has five buildings: a Greek Revival-style post office, a simulated grist mill, the last working miller's cottage, a 20th century barn, and a beautiful venue for rent called the Bates House. It was dedicated in memory of Frank Melville, Jr., who was the father of local philanthropist Ward Melville, in 1937. "The park was designed using existing ponds surrounded by native species of plants and trees," said the park's website, noting that its woodland boasts more than 200 varieties of plants and trees. "The Frank Melville Park is a paradise for those who like to walk and appreciate the best that nature can provide." Today, the property is owned and administered by the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation and is also home to the Three Village Garden Club Arboretum. Lastly, leashed dogs are allowed, but fishing is prohibited.

The entrance is along the north side of Old Field Road at the intersection with Main Street. It's a busy intersection, but there's a lot of roadside parking and a crosswalk to help visitors reach the entrance. A trail map is available on the park's website, which also indicates that walking three times around the pond on the park's post office side is 1.2 miles and one time around both ponds is 0.9 miles. Within a minute, I saw wildlife ranging from deer to ducks along the opening paved path that's peppered with benches. You'll also find a nature trail behind the picturesque red barn and community garden along the north side of Setauket Millpond. While there, keep an eye (and ear) open for birds including belted kingfishers, great herons and eastern screech owls. "The park provides habitat to many species of wildlife during the spring and fall migration, over the winter, or for nesting," a sign said.

The hike's highlights for me were the ponds and beautiful bamboo forest, which is located in the Three Village Garden Club Arboretum. There were openings in the bamboo that allowed me to walk in and be surrounded by the towering stalks, which is something I'd never done. It was a neat experience. Other highlights included nearby Patriot's Rock, which colonial troops used to mount a cannon and fire at Tory forces during the Revolution War, and the scenic trail along Conscience Bay. "A nice example of a tidal wetland can be seen if you walk the path skirting the east edge of Conscience Bay," a sign said. "Many estuaries on Long Island are fringed salt marshes or tidal wetlands with tidal creeks going through them."

My music on this day was The Neal Morse Band's two-disc progressive rock concept album, The Similitude of a Dream, which was based on John Bunyan's 1678 allegory, "The Pilgrim's Progress from This World, to That Which Is to Come." The group's drummer Mike Portnoy called it "THE album" of his career at the time of its release last year, although it is hard to outdo Dream Theater's 1992 breakthrough album, Images and Words. But after seeing the album performed in its entirety earlier in the week, I realized he might be right. It's magic.

All in all, I'd say Frank Melville Memorial Park is definitely a good spot for a walk in the park. The park's website also lists many events and activities that take place right on the grounds, ranging from writing workshops to yoga classes. However, if you're more of a distance hiker, this isn't the spot for you. Then again, even hardcore hikers gotta go for a stroll sometimes.