The Great Outdoors
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Greenport’s four seasons. With an average summer afternoon temperature of 77 degrees, visitors can spend many a sunny day on the North Fork’s 50 miles of picturesque coastline. And if you’ve gotten your fill of the water, the area is also home to more than a dozen hiking trails of varying length, difficulty, and scenery. From the shore to the forest, the North Fork provides plenty of recreational opportunities to keep you entertained all year round.
Greenport Beaches
Orient Beach State Park, located on the East End of the North Fork of Long Island, is a waterfront wonderland with 45,000 feet of shore right on Gardiner’s Bay and a maritime forest. Other natural attractions in the park include the saltwater marsh and marine wildlife.
Also on the water, Hallock State Park Preserve spans 225 acres with nearly one mile of pristine beachfront on the North Shore along the Long Island Sound. It’s an ideal place for sunbathing, picnicking and snorkeling – especially in summer!
Peconic Landing has a private beach as well. Don’t mind the sign, it isn’t a nude beach, and members visit every day. “I love swimming in the Sound and watching sunsets from the gazebo,” said member Louisa H. “I love the light and the smell of the sea breeze.” And it’s just on the other side of the bluffs in Peconic Landing’s cottage neighborhood.
Parks and Gardens on the East End
Long Island is brimming with places to enjoy art. Nova Constellatio Gallery is the open studio and gallery of contemporary realist painter Isabelle Haran-Leonardi.
Nearby, the Museum of Contemporary Arts Long Island, or MoCA LI, is the newly defined exdhibition space of the Patchogue Arts Council (PAC). MoCA LI is a museum for artists and community, created by artists of the community. Through its exhibition programming at MoCA LI, the Patchogue Arts Council supports, promotes, and encourages early, mid-career, and established artists working in all media and from all walks of life. In addition to permanent and changing collections, The Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island offers workshops for all ages and interests.
Walking and Hiking on Long Island
Downs Farm Preserve is a natural and historic resource that encompasses Fort Corchaug, a Native American archaeological site. The easy trail cuts through the 51 acres of woodlands, with a loop that’s approximately a mile long. During your hike you might spot glimpses of the vineyards at nearby McCall Wines and the tidal wetlands of Downs Creek.
With 22,000 feet of shoreline, Arshamomaque Pond Preserve in Southold is part of the Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve and is listed for protection because of its exceptional scenic, biological and recreational resources. This unique natural complex ranks as one of the most valuable and productive coastal and marine ecosystems remaining in the nation. The Nature Conservancy has recognized this maritime reserve as a world-class resource and one of the “Last Great Places.”
With miles of walking trails, Peconic Landing is another great place for strolling, jogging or biking. “I love walking outdoors,” explained Peconic Landing member Pat B. “I like the exercise and meeting new people. And the campus is just beautiful.”
Events on Long Island
Wine dinners, summer concerts, parades and fishing tournaments are a few of the annual events near Greenport, NY! There is never a shortage of happenings up and down the Long Island. In Greenport, specifically, there are annual events that showcase the beauty and history of the town. Each May, residents of Greenport host a Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the blossoming of the town’s beautiful trees. The annual Greenport Maritime Festival starts with a Saturday morning parade followed by grand displays of classic wooden boats, kayak races, model ship building, music, delicious food, artisanal vendors, children’s activities, fresh oysters, craft beers and local wines. The evening brings music and dancing in the park and screenings of original movies.
Local Events
- Patrick’s Day Parade in Montauk, March
- Long Island Marathon: Festival of Races, May
- Mosaic Street Painting Festival, May
- Belmont Stakes, June
- Independence Day Parade in Southold, July
- Long Island International Film Expo, July
- Mattituck Strawberry Festival, July
- Riverhead Blues Festival, July
- Medieval Festival at Sands Point, September
- Annual Oyster Bay Oyster Fest, October
- Charles Dickens Festival, December
The Great Outdoors at Peconic Landing
Peconic Landing is luckily centered between Island’s End Golf & Country Club and Kontokosta Winery, an award-winning sculpture garden, tennis courts, community gardens and more. “We love the natural beauty, the glimpses of wildlife, and the overall serenity. There is a calming, peaceful quiet which soothes us,” explained members Phyllis and Ted D. when asked about the location.
It isn’t surprising to see wildlife on the North Fork all times of the year. The region is home to black bears, coyotes, moose, deer, rabbits, beaver, seals, otters, whales, snakes and lot of birds. “We see hens and deer. Even foxes,” Pat said. “We heard there might be a den of little foxes, so hopefully we will see them soon, too!”
If you would like to learn more about the outdoor possibilities around Greenport or on the Peconic Landing campus, contact a knowledgeable, local Retirement Counselor.