Location: Smithtown, NY
Size: 39 acres
Date of hike: Jan. 28, 2021
Bill Richards Park is a small parcel with a nature trail that circles a pretty pond just a stone's throw from NY Route 347. I decided to hike the park after making a resolution to start my days with a short walk every morning for mental health purposes. Well, since this park is super close to my home, it seemed like a perfect choice to kickstart my new resolution. And a perfect choice it was!
Before hitting the trail, I educated myself about the history and habitats of Bill Richards Park, which is owned by the Town of Smithtown. "The park consists of mostly passive recreational uses along with provisions for hiking and picnicking," said the New York State Department of Transportation's website. "Facilities include freshwater fishing, nature trails and picnic areas, all of which are considerably set back from NY Route 347." For my fellow hikers, the park's most notable features are its big pine trees, the picturesque bridges and a beautiful body of water called Green Gate Pond, according to a park profile on Patch. "Often overlooked for the neighboring Blydenburgh County Park, the Bill Richards Memorial Park retains a quiet oasis where trees offer a buffer against noisy traffic," said Patch. As for Richards himself, the man was a former town parks commissioner who died in 1985 and also served as the town's receiver of taxes, a presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, and deputy commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Labor. Lastly, no dogs are allowed.
The park's entrance is located on the north side of NY Route 347, just east of Blydenburgh County Park and just west of the Stonebridge Country Club, with a parking lot that can fit a dozen cars or so. Signs stated the park is for town residents only and a sticker is required, but I parked anyway. Upon arrival, the first thing you'll see is a long list of names posted on a plaque titled "Vietnam Era Hauppauge Honor Roll," which sits alongside a wooden bridge. Hikers have the option of going over that bridge, which will lead to the aforementioned pond, or taking a hilly trail into the forest along the eastern side of the parking lot. It's a loop trail that can't be more than a mile, and either direction will bring you back to where you began. "Visitors will find narrow paths shaded from the heat by thick trees or foliage," said Patch. "Alongside the paths, wooden benches and picnic tables offer a place for a private picnic."
The hike's highlights for me were the adorable bridges and the gorgeous Green Gate Pond. For those wondering, skating is prohibited, but fishing is permitted. In fact, the water even has bass, according to the website BassinUSA.com. As for birds, there's everything from blue jays to gray catbirds to red-bellied woodpeckers, according to FindingFeathersLI.com. Interestingly, I also came across several news websites that said the town has apparently discussed a deal in which Bill Richards Park would be combined with Blydenburgh County Park and Suffolk County would hand over nearby Paul T. Given County Park to the Town of Smithtown. Just something to look for if you're a future reader of this particular blog entry.
My music of choice consisted of UK-based progressive metal band Haken, which incidentally released a record last year titled Virus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I also read some of a terrific book called Today: A Daily Companion. "Because today is so important, it's critical that I start it off right," wrote the author Pierre Luc Beaudry, who is a self-realization guide. "One way I do this is by having my morning ritual, a daily practice that offers me the time and space to shift from my resting state into a state of empowerment and active creation."
All in all, I'd definitely recommend hiking here if you live in or around the Town of Smithtown. It's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of NY Route 347, and it's small enough to traverse in a half hour, which is why I picked it for my morning walk. In fact, it's safe to say I'll be starting many days on this little trail in the future. See you soon, Bill Richards Park!
Parking: 40°49'29.6"N 73°13'16.8"W
Hi Mike! My sisters and I were remiscing about being children and playing “swimming” in a stream in a wooded park with picnic tables. One sister quickly identified the park as Green Gate Park. It has apparently been renamed Bill Richards Park. Since you are such an avid hiker on Long Island, perhaps you can confirm that this park has (or would have had in the 1960’s) a narrow clear-water rock- or pebble-bottomed stream that small children could “swim” in by propelling themselves with their hands across the bottom. If you don’t think so, is there any other park you can think of that fits this description on Long Island near Commack or Smithtown?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I got so excited I forgot to say, thank you for this wonderful blog! I enjoyed it very much, and if I still lived in the northeast, I would use your blog as a guide for hiking.
ReplyDeleteYes, my sisters and I also rode our bicycles. To Green Gate.
ReplyDeleteOne of the nicest parks in the area