Hours
Hours not listed
Dog Policy
Dog policy not listed
Address
39 Manwaring Road, Town of Shelter Island, Suffolk County, NY 11964
Managing Organization
Suffolk County Parks
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Park Type
Preserve
Acreage
18 acres
Plan your visitBefore you go
Check current details with the operator before heading out.
- Hours & season
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Not listed — confirm with the operator.
- Parking & entrance
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Not listed — confirm with the operator.
- Fees & residency
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Not listed — confirm with the operator.
- Restrooms
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Not listed — confirm with the operator.
- Dog rules
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Not listed — confirm with the operator.
- Accessibility
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Not listed — confirm with the operator.
About Old Nursery Woodlands Preserve
The 24.37-acre property is the second largest of the Town's CPF preserves and it is hidden in the geographical center of the Island. It is "over the back fence" of the homes, stores and other structures that on the east are along St. Mary's Road, on the south East Thomas Street, on the west North Ferry Road and on the north Manwaring Road. No street or road crosses it. The property consists of meadow, virgin forest and overgrown nursery stock. The property was purchased for use as passive parkland aquifer recharge. The property consists of two adjoining parcels in which the County and Town each acquired 50% undivided interests: 18.87 acres in 2001 from the Peconic Land Trust and 5.5 acres in 2003 from the heirs of Kathryn E. Rasmussen.Access From the parking area on St. Mary's Road and Burns Road intersection, hikers can use the westerly path into the woods, and from North Ferry Road, the path beginning on the north side of Card's Cabins' northerly entrance. Also, at the present time hikers use the path on 16 Manwaring Road just west of the Binder compound (formerly, the "A-Frames"), across from Sylvester Manor's Windmill Field. No vehicle entry is provided. Within the property there is a well-established trail system.
Prior Owners & History
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The property is part of the 1,000 acres that George Havens purchased from Nathaniel Sylvester II in 1700, and it passed to his son William Havens and to others. According to a 1909 map, its principal owners were Scudder Smith and T. M. Haisey and it passed through others thereafter. Blaise Laspia's Shelter Island Nursery on St. Mary's Road used the larger parcel for many years for nursery stock; it does not include the area formerly occupied by the nursery's buildings on St. Mary’s Road, which have been removed, and is privately owned. The smaller parcel was held as virgin woodlands. The nursery was advertised in the Southampton Presson March 18, 1982as the “Largest Grower of Retail Seashore Plants on the East End.” As you walk through the property don’t be surprised when you come across a beautifully manicured area. The old nursery stock is being lovingly maintained by a friendly neighbor. You are welcome to walk through the area.
