LIGTC Request for a New License with Suffolk County Parks Stalls - Manorville, NY
Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference (LIGTC) opened Trail Center in 1995. Twenty years later, it closed due to lack of resources. Brookhaven Bicycle (BB) under agreement recently abandoned it. LIGTC in a stronger position has requested a new license agreement with SC Parks.
The LIGTC was founded with the purpose of getting LI folks out on hiking trails: the first being the Greenbelt Trail, followed by the Nassau Suffolk Greenbelt Trial, the Brookhaven Trail, the Pine Barrens Trail, the Paumanok Path, the Ray Corwin trail, and many other connector trails. These efforts include coordinating with the varied agencies and volunteers to maintain these trails. They have an office in Blydenburg County Park, further west. The Trail Center in Manorville historically focused in on the Pine Barrens, as pictured in the mural below.
What was the Inside the Trail Center: Welcoming Station, Pine Barrens Mural, and the Kitchen.
Twenty years later the LIGTC lacked enough resources to keep the Trail Center open, and so it closed.
Brookhaven Bicycle signed a lease agreement in 2021[2]. Their lack of response to repeated requests for access to the bathroom and to the care of the surrounding grounds was alarming. It was entirely confusing too, as the building and the trails were never distinct during the time the LIGTC held the license agreement. And there was never any clarification as to who did what and how we could work together. Quality Parks and others stepped in to organize cleanups (painting signs, raking/trimming, power washing picnic tables) [3]. We also received an approved research permit delving into the suitability of incorporating invasive species hand removal as part of trail maintenance [4].
Repainting Trail Signage, Coordinating with Volunteers Over the Years, Invasive Species Removal Along Trail
Then we all learned that Brookhaven Bicycle Inc. had abandoned the building. Shortly there after, the LIGTC requested usage and access under a new license agreement. The LIGTC is much more relevant to the Trail Center. It's part of nature preserve land, is in the heart of the LI Pine Barrens, and is managed in conjunction with nearby RC Murphy County Park. We welcome the LIGTC as a much preferred partner with specialized skills in trail design and maintenance, and with the knowledge and capabilities to restore the Trail Center's unique history.
We urge you to call your Suffolk County legislative representative to show your support and approval of LIGTC request for new license agreement.
And to also contact:
Greg Doroski is the Suffolk County Legislator representing this district in which the Trail Center is located. His number is: 631-852-3200
Stephanie Bontempi is the Suffolk County Legislator who is also Chair of the Environment, Parks & Agriculture Committee. This Committee has jurisdiction (or authority) over SC Parks (Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation). Her number is: 631-854-4500
This is what the trail center looks like now - emptied and abandoned.
References
[1] Contracts with Nonprofit Organizations Operating [Suffolk] County Parks Facilities - https://ecode360.com/34505713#34505714
[2] - Upon request, we can send you copies of the resolution and lease agreement.
[3] Compiled data from Quality Parks web pages -https://www.qualityparks.org/long-island-park-details/pine-barrens-trail-outdoor-center/r/recyJIhug530SA0mA
[4] https://fieldnotes.qualityparks.org/controlling-invasive-species-as-part-of-routine-trail-maintenance-ny/
