Parks & Trails New York Unveils Vision to Connect 6,000 Acres of Long Island Parks, Communities, and Transit
Key Improvements Will Create Safer Routes, Connecting Long Islanders to Public Lands
Albany, NY — Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), in partnership with Bayard Cutting Arboretum and a broad coalition of local and regional stakeholders, today released a new plan to safely connect 6,000 acres of Long Island parkland to surrounding communities and regional transit.
The Bayard Cutting Connector Vision Plan outlines a clear and achievable roadmap to transform a network of busy highways and roads into a seamless system of safe bicycle and pedestrian pathways linking the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Heckscher State Park, and the Great River Long Island Rail Road station. The vision focuses on improving connections between parks, strengthening access from nearby communities, and creating a seamless link to transit so that more people can reach these destinations without relying on a car.
The plan identifies key improvements that will make it safer and easier for people of all ages and abilities to travel between the Great River LIRR station and nearby parks, as well as between the parks themselves. These include new shared use paths, safer street crossings, road design changes to slow traffic, improved bike facilities, and clear wayfinding. Today, many of these routes lack basic infrastructure, with high traffic speeds, missing sidewalks, and unsafe intersections creating barriers to access.
The report demonstrates that meaningful gains in safety and access can be achieved through targeted, cost effective investments. Near term improvements are estimated at approximately $1.3 million, offering a clear path to early action while laying the groundwork for long-term connectivity.
The Bayard Cutting Connector also serves as a model for how New York can build a more connected greenway network statewide, showing how linking parks to each other, surrounding neighborhoods, and transit can support both recreation and everyday mobility.
With the release of the plan, this consortium of partners is now transitioning from vision to action. Working closely with local governments, state agencies, and key stakeholders, the group will advance priority projects, pursue funding, and build the partnerships needed to bring these connections to life. This next phase will focus on implementation, ensuring that the plan’s recommendations translate into real, on-the-ground improvements that make parks safer and more accessible for all.
By connecting transit, neighborhoods, and some of Long Island’s most visited parks, the Bayard Cutting Connector Vision Plan offers a practical and inspiring blueprint for expanding safe and affordable access to nature.
The full plan can be viewed here: https://www.ptny.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bayard-Cutting-Arboretum-Shared-Use-Path-Vision-Plan.pdf
Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, “Getting to nature should be part of the experience, not a barrier. Too many of our parks are difficult or unsafe to reach without a car. This plan is about closing that gap. It’s about building safer, more comfortable routes for walking and biking by better connecting parks with public transit. We want to make it easier and more affordable for everyone to reach and enjoy Long Island’s park system.”
Richard Remmer, Long Island State Parks Commissioner, said, “This is an amazing opportunity to provide safe, convenient public access to three spectacular State Parks. Beaches, trout fishing, hiking, river walks, cycling, a historic grist mill, and one of the world’s finest arboretums all within minutes of a LIRR station.”
Sally Drake, Executive Director, New York State Natural Heritage Trust (NHT), said, “The NHT is proud to support its partners in developing this plan. Protecting natural resources goes hand in hand with thoughtfully expanding access. This plan demonstrates how we can guide people to these remarkable places in ways that are both safe and environmentally responsible, ensuring they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Scott Wise, President, Bayard Cutting Arboretum Board of Trustees, said, ““Bayard Cutting Arboretum has advanced to become a world class arboretum. Visitors will now have the opportunity to arrive safely via public transportation, increasing access to this destination garden. Local communities will benefit from walking and bike access to the many facets of nature and education that Bayard Cutting Arboretum offers.”
Janetmarie Soley, President, Friends of Connetquot, said, “Connetquot River State Park Preserve is home to a rare and well-protected mix of river, forest, and wetland habitats that define Long Island’s natural heritage. This plan creates new opportunities for people to experience and appreciate this landscape, while reinforcing the preserve’s commitment to education and responsible public access.”
Greg Hancock, President, Friends of Heckscher State Park, said, “Heckscher State Park is one of Long Island’s premier waterfront parks, offering miles of shoreline, open space, and some of the region’s most popular biking trails. Safe, accessible routes to visit Bayard, Connetquot and Heckscher, all connected to nearby neighborhoods and the Great River Train Station, are essential to the public’s use of the parks. The Bayard Cutting Connector Vision Plan will play an important role in improving how people safely reach and experience these amenities, enhancing access to one of the South Shore’s signature public landscapes. We, in conjunction with the efforts of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, Connetquot State Park Preserve and the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, support this effort.”
About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the state’s leading advocate for public lands. Since 1985, we’ve been dedicated to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York’s network of public lands and the creation and promotion of more than 2,000 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks, and trails. For more information, visit www.ptny.org