Alexander G. McKay Preserve at Cranberry Hill County ParkLocation: Northport, NY
Size: 21 acres
Date of hike: Sept. 4, 2016
Alexander G. McKay Preserve at Cranberry Hill County Park, also known as Fuchs Pond Preserve, is a tiny hiking spot with a picturesque pond. I've seen it described elsewhere online as a "hidden oasis," and I couldn't agree more. I noticed it last year when I hiked nearby Makamah Nature Preserve, and it's been on my list of places to visit since then. Well, with blue skies out despite the approach of Hurricane Hermine, I finally decided to stop by. And it was a terrific decision.
Before exploring, I learned about the history and habitats of Alexander G. McKay Preserve. The property consists of a five-acre spring-fed freshwater pond with an "upland slope forest and high plateau area," according to the Town of Huntington's trail guide, and has recorded activity that goes back to the 1650s. "Post-revolutionary settlements by farmers
occupied most of the area along Waterside Avenue," stated a Crab Meadow News blog, adding that cranberry bogs remained in operation there through the 1930s.
In 1920, a resident named Rudolph Reimer unsuccessfully tried to create a freshwater lake as a possible trout pond, which became the current site of Fuchs Pond, and the land was later acquired by Sophie and Betram Fuchs. The Town of Huntington and Suffolk County purchased the parcel in 2003 and eventually renamed in honor of Alexander G. McKay, who served as the town's representative for the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation's Board of Trustees for more than 40 years. McKay passed away of natural causes in 2017.
The pretty preserve, which sits just south of the Crab Meadow Golf Course, is bordered by Seaside Court and Waterside Avenue and within a stone's throw of three nearby preserves: Makamah Nature Preserve, Henry Ingraham Nature Preserve and Jerome Ambro Memorial Wetlands Preserve. The best entrance for Alexander G. McKay is probably along the east side of Seaside Court, just north of its intersection with Waterside Avenue. It's a dirt patch big enough for three or four cars with a second dirt patch on the opposite side of of the road. Strangely, there's no sign at that entrance. Instead, the sign is around the corner along the more heavily-trafficked Waterside Avenue. I should note you can also access the preserve from Makamah Nature Preserve's parking lot by taking a straight westbound trail that runs parallel to the golf course. Since I was in the mood for a long walk, that's just what I did.
The pretty preserve, which sits just south of the Crab Meadow Golf Course, is bordered by Seaside Court and Waterside Avenue and within a stone's throw of three nearby preserves: Makamah Nature Preserve, Henry Ingraham Nature Preserve and Jerome Ambro Memorial Wetlands Preserve. The best entrance for Alexander G. McKay is probably along the east side of Seaside Court, just north of its intersection with Waterside Avenue. It's a dirt patch big enough for three or four cars with a second dirt patch on the opposite side of of the road. Strangely, there's no sign at that entrance. Instead, the sign is around the corner along the more heavily-trafficked Waterside Avenue. I should note you can also access the preserve from Makamah Nature Preserve's parking lot by taking a straight westbound trail that runs parallel to the golf course. Since I was in the mood for a long walk, that's just what I did.
The hike's highlight for me was probably the pond, which actually attracted a few fisherman. It was an incredibly peaceful place illuminated by rays of light that sliced through the trees. From Makamah's parking lot, it took me about 15 minutes or so to reach a fork in the trail, which goes to the pond if you bear left. The right fork leads to the lot along Seaside Court. The trails were all unmarked, so I wandered around and took whatever path caught my eye over
the course of two hours. My music of choice was Transatlantic's 2009 concept album, The Whirlwind. "We got caught in the whirlwind and torn by the storms of our lives," belted Neal Morse. "And
just when we thought we had something, it turned into dust in our eyes."
With regard to wildlife, there's everything from meadow voles to muskrats to masked shrews, while birds range from ring-necked pheasants to eastern screech owls to red-tailed hawks, according to the town's trail guide. Fish include bullheads, sunfish and largemouth bass. For my fellow turtle lovers, keep an eye out for eastern box, painted and snapping turtles. On a separate note, remember to check out the eyes painted on some rocks and trees in the forest's southwestern section. I couldn't help but initiate a staring contest, which I lost.
With regard to wildlife, there's everything from meadow voles to muskrats to masked shrews, while birds range from ring-necked pheasants to eastern screech owls to red-tailed hawks, according to the town's trail guide. Fish include bullheads, sunfish and largemouth bass. For my fellow turtle lovers, keep an eye out for eastern box, painted and snapping turtles. On a separate note, remember to check out the eyes painted on some rocks and trees in the forest's southwestern section. I couldn't help but initiate a staring contest, which I lost.
All in all, Alexander G. McKay is so small I can't suggest traveling long
distances to hike it, unless you consider combining it with another nearby park or preserve – such as Makamah. Or, if you live in or near the Town of
Huntington, the preserve will fit
the bill if you're craving a quick trip into nature. It's a hidden oasis indeed. And I'll definitely be thirsty for more soon!
(Updated: Feb. 17, 2019)
Map: Alexander G. McKay Preserve at Cranberry Hill County Park (Google Maps image)
Parking: 40°55'03.8"N 73°19'53.4"W
Video: Alexander G. McKay Preserve at Cranberry Hill County Park (360-degree view)
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