Terrell River County Park 

Location: Center Moriches, NY
  
Size: 263 acres 

Date of hike: Aug. 20, 2016
  
Terrell River County Park is a passive preserve with wooded trails alongside the picturesque Terrell River and a beautiful beach that borders the Moriches Bay.  I picked the park while looking for waterfront spots within 45 minutes of my home through Google Maps, and this one fit the bill.  Although I've been to Kaler's Pond Park, which is across the street from the entrance for Terrell River, I never visited this park.  Well, it was time to change that.
 
Before exploring, I learned more about the history and habitats of Terrell River County Park, which was purchased by Suffolk County in 1986 with the Moriches Bay Audobon Society designated as its stewards in 2001.  The land was once known as Havens Estate for a prominent family that owned much of what is now Moriches, according to the website Trailforks.com.  It originally housed a barn and a small home, the latter of which was relocated across the street where it stands now after the property was donated by the family's last remaining descendant to the Moriches Bay Historical Society in the 1970s.  Today, the park is a popular spot for hiking and birdwatching along the pretty Terrell River, which flows north to south along the property's eastern boundary toward the Moriches Bay.  "This particular park has phenomenal vistas and is known for the abundance of hiking trails, shore access and brilliant scenic views," according to the county.  "There are no amenities, and it's a 'carry in, carry out' park."  Lastly, for those wondering, leashed dogs are allowed.   

The entrance is on the south side of Montauk Highway between Bay and Belleview avenues, where a gravelly parking lot fits about a dozen cars.  If it's full, there's also parking available across the street at Kaler's Pond Park.  A Terrell River trail map hanging near the entrance indicated the park has a 2.6-mile loop with white blazes, which is "good for all skills levels," according to county's website.  The trailhead's left fork runs parallel to the lovely river with numerous openings in the trees offering jaw-dropping views, while the trailhead's right fork winds through the woods and intersects with an unmarked path that brings visitors further into the park's southwestern section.  Both forks lead to the beach.  The unmarked path, though, is a hidden gem that crosses a wetland with wooden planks and then navigates a skinny stretch of land situated between the marsh and the superb bay.  Don't miss it!

The hike's highlights for me were surely the scenic views of the Terrell River.  Interestingly, the river is considered to be important to the local ecosystem since it's a "nursery ground" for various fish and crustaceans, according to the audobon society's website.  The park is also a "birding paradise" with habitats for a variety of species such as egrets, herons and owls, the website said.  Regarding plant life, the area has "incredibly diverse amounts of plants and trees that make for a magical experience," according to the county's website.  Specifically, the trees begin inland with white oaks, prickly ash and Atlantic white cedars, and then change the closer you stroll to the beach to catbriers, sassafras and pitch pines.

My music consisted of a shuffle of progressive metal that included tunes from Queensrÿche, Dream Theater and Fates Warning, which are my three all-time favorite bands.  While on the subject of music, I must divulge that I recently received an e-mail from a reader stating I was "polluting my ears" by listening to music during my hikes.  While I understand his sentiment, hiking is also a way for me to reflect and connect with myself – and music helps me do that.  Plus, progressive metal is meant to take listeners on an inner journey.  So, to each his own.

In closing, I'd definitely recommend Terrell River County Park to nearby residents seeking a quick escape into nature.  The trails can be completed in about an hour and once you reach the beach the payoff is huge.  However, just make sure you like dogs, as many of the park's visitors were accompanied by canines.  And, most importantly, please carry out your trash!

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