Foundation Donates 64 Trees to Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail Extension

A Kings Park-based foundation has stepped forward to donate to the extension of the Hike & Bike Trail where county and town funding has come up short. 

The Nissequogue River State Park Foundation has offered to donate 64 trees towards the plans to extend the Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail by approximately 975 feet, from the southwest portion down to Main Street near community parking lot. 

"I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect the park to downtown Kings Park. I think it’s phenomenal and I love it. It will help give access to people who want to use the park," said John McQuaid, chairman of the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation. 

McQuaid said the nonprofit organization stepped forward offering to donate up to $8,500 towards the trail's extension after the initial contractor bids submitted to the Town of Smithtown came in over the project's allotted budget. 

"The initial forecasted budget for the entire thing was done back in 2009. It took this long for everything to get approved, when they submitted their requirements to various providers, the cost was higher," McQuaid said. 

The design approved by New York State Parks Department and Town of Smithtown planners calls for the planting of trees along the length of the extension to create a buffer between the trail and the nearest residential houses. 

The 64 trees purchased by the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation to create this buffer will be a mix of Eastern red cedar, Holly, Arborvitae and other species. 

The Town of Smithtown is also working with the nonprofit to cut costs. Instead of hiring a landscaper as planned, town employees will help with the trees' plantings in upcoming days. 

With this compromise, work on the Hike & Bike Trail extension is moving forward as the land has been cleared, a guard rail has been ordered and landscaping can begin. 

The Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail was created with help of a "Rails to Trails" federal grant in 2004. The trail currently begins on Old Dock Road, approximately 300 feet east of Church Street, and runs along the former Kings Park State Hospital old railroad spur. The paved trail is used by walkers, joggers, bicyclists and by cross country skiers during winter months.