Location: Locust Valley, NY
Size: 42 acres
Date of hike: June 5, 2021
Bailey Arboretum is a tiny hiking spot that has everything from an island of turtles to the world's largest dawn redwood tree. My fiancé heard about it while watching a recent segment on News 12, which highlighted the park's aforementioned "turtle island." Since we both love the shelly reptiles, we set out the very next day to visit this special place. Needless to say, we're glad we did.
Prior to hiking, I decided to educate myself on the history and habitats of Bailey Arboretum. "The arboretum is a living museum fostering connections with people and the natural world," said its website. "On the former estate of horticultural enthusiast Frank Bailey, we enhance and preserve our curated living collection, offer interactive educational programs and engage the community through our public and private events." Apparently, Bailey was the son of a physician and an amateur botanist who bought his summer retreat – a 100-year-old house later called "Munnysunk" as well as 40-plus acres in Locust Valley – and was a self-taught horticulturalist who started one of the first private garden museums in America. In addition, he reportedly imported various trees, shrubs and ornamentals from France from 1916-1920, according to an old article in Newsday. In 1968, the land was given to Nassau County after the passing of Frank's wife, Marie Louise, and has been under the jurisdiction of the Friends of Bailey Arboretum since 2006. Today, the park is also the home for Volunteers for Wildlife, which runs a wildlife hospital and education center and admits about 2,000 animals annually.
The arboretum's entrance is on Bayville Road between Feeks Lane and Horse Hollow Road. Upon arriving, the first thing I saw was the wildlife garden, which featured creatures ranging from great horned owls to red-tailed hawks. "The animals that reside in the wildlife garden were permanently injured and are unable to be released back into the wild," a sign stated. "These animals are important parts of our education team and help educate thousands of children and adults each year." Next, I tackled the park's three trails: the blue "wide loop" trail, the yellow "evergreen" trail, and the purple "great lawn" trail. The 0.9-mile blue path, which I hiked first, is the longest. "Bailey Arboretum provides its visitors with well-marked trails and gardens and the freedom to stroll the beautiful grounds," stated a park pamphlet. Then, I checked out the Secret Wall Garden, which is a sensory garden maintained by the Locust Valley Garden Club, and a certified outdoor classroom called the Children's Habitat.
The hike's highlights for me were the majestic dawn redwoods and, of course, "turtle island." Regarding the redwoods, the trees were believed to be extinct for millions of years until they were found in China in 1941, according to the arboretum's website. "Seeds from these trees were collected during a Harvard University-sponsored expedition in 1947, shipped to Boston, and distributed among leading botanic gardens," the website said. "It was a mark of Frank Bailey's reputation in horticultural circles that he was among the first to receive seedlings." Interestingly, one of Bailey's trees was measured as having the "largest girth" of any dawn redwood in the world by the International Metasequoia Society in 2007. As for turtle island, it's "known for its abundance of turtles seen basking in the sun on nearby logs," a sign said.
If you like to learn, look for the arboretum's informational signs, which cover topics such as the area's native animals (which include bullfrogs, muskrats and snapping turtles) and birds (which include northern cardinals, downy woodpeckers and mourning doves). You will also learn where water comes from on Long Island. "The water right below our feet is an aquifer," a sign said. "Water is stored in spaces among sand and gravel and held there by bedrock." My favorite sign, though, offered some advice: "Find a comfortable spot where you can sit – or stand," it said. "Challenge yourself to stay silent and simply listen. You will be amazed."
For those wondering, admission is $5 per car and $2 for walk-ins and the arboretum is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fees are collected weekends only from April 3 until May 23 and Sept. 7 until Nov. 21, as well as on weekends and weekdays from May 24 until Sept. 6. "Before visiting, please check our website," said the pamphlet, adding that the "operating schedule changes with the seasons." Lastly, dogs are allowed.
All in all, I'd definitely suggest a quick visit to the arboretum if you find yourself in, or around, Locust Valley. This place is extremely peaceful with some of the best trees on Long Island. And, of course, you'll likely see reptiles. If that's not turtley awesome, I don't know what is!
Parking: 40°53'18.0"N 73°35'05.8"W
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