Southards Pond Park

Location: Babylon, NY

Size: 19 acres

Date of hike: July 2, 2024

Southards Pond Park features a short loop trail that skirts a picturesque pond just south of Sunrise Highway.  I had intended to hike the park for a while now since noticing it is connected to Belmont Lake State Park, which is one of my favorite state parks on Long Island, and I finally decided to go after recently seeing it on the news as a dumping ground for body parts.  Thankfully, I didn't see any extremities during my hike, but I do wish I had visited this pretty park a lot sooner.

Before exploring, I familiarized myself with the history and habitats of Southards Pond Park.  Southards Pond is reportedly part of the Carlls River system, which is considered the fourth longest river on Long Island, and it is linked via the river to both Argyle Lake in Babylon and Belmont Lake in North Babylon.  The pond itself, which is prohibited from use by watercraft, has a shore that spans 0.87 miles and a maximum depth of about five feet, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).  "Access is via many dirt footpaths around the pond's perimeter," the DEC's website said.  "Wading is easy along the south end of the pond, but may be treacherous along the north end due to the soft bottom."  For hikers, the park has a 1.4-mile loop trail that starts near Park Avenue and leads to the pond’s southern shore and back again.  "Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 24 minutes to complete," said the website AllTrails. "This is a popular trail for birding, hiking or walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude at quieter times of day."

The park has several entrances, but I used the one located by the basketball and tennis courts along the north side of Park Avenue between Ralph Avenue and Siegel Boulevard.  There was enough parking for about two dozen vehicles.  Other entrances to the park are near the intersection of Southard Lane and Pond Place on the eastern edge of Southards Pond, as well as at the end of Alexander Street on the western edge of Southards Pond.  The park can also be reached via Belmont Lake State Park by strolling south through a tunnel under the Southern State Parkway and then continuing for about a mile until you reach a second tunnel under Sunrise Highway (NY Route 27).  "Please be aware of your surroundings," said the website GreaterLongIsland.com.  "The trails are active with local residents who jog with their dogs, bikers getting exercise, and even people on horseback."

The hike’s highlights for me included the panoramic views from the pond’s southern shore, which was peppered with benches.  I couldn't help but sit to soak in the sights and sounds.  As I sat, I contemplated that odd body parts case that had recently captivated Long Island.  News reports said that a group of teens walking to school stumbled upon a human left arm, while police later found a leg and right arm.  Four defendants were later charged with felony counts of first-degree hindering prosecution, the concealment of a human corpse, and the tampering of physical evidence.  “One of the students called their father," a detective told NBCNewYork.com.  "The father responded, confirmed it was an arm...and he called 911."

Regarding wildlife, the pond is home to an array of fish like chain pickerel, largemouth bass and brown bullhead, according to the DEC.  "It contains the usual Long Island assortment of resident warmwater species and, in addition, is stocked with trout to provide seasonal fishing opportunities in cooler months," the DEC's website stated.  "Southards Pond regularly yields large yellow perch to early season anglers."  As for birds, you'll see everything from gadwalls to rusty blackbirds, according to FindingFeathersLI.com.  Lastly, leashed dogs are allowed.  

In closing, I would definitely recommend that all local hikers stop by Southards Pond Park.  It's ideal for a quick hike if you're in the area or just passing through.  But most importantly, the park has one of the most relaxing walks with some of the most breathtaking views that I've encountered on Long Island.  Let's just hope all the severed body parts are long gone!


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