Kings Park Unique Area
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 1 Stony Brook Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (631) 444-0270; r1info@dec.ny.gov
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Suffolk County
- Wildlife Management Unit:1C
- Map: Kings Park Unique Area Map (PDF) || Kings Park Cooperative Hunting Area Map || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Kings Park Unique Area is a 69-acre green space, located at the southwest corner of Meadow and Lawrence Roads in Kings Park. The area is open for hiking, bowhunting, and wildlife viewing and features an accessible parking lot and trail. The land, originally part of the Kings Park State Hospital, was transferred to DEC in 1966 to serve as a "greenway" for the surrounding residential developments.
A free 3-year Managed Land Access Permit is also required for using this property. Visit DEC's nForm page if you need information on how to obtain a NY.gov account, which is required for these permits.
Users must observe regulations for use of DEC-managed lands in Suffolk County.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Hiking is allowed throughout the property. The trails lead hikers through oak brush and early successional habitat. The longest hiking trail is the 1.1-mile blue loop trail. There is also a 0.3-mile accessible yellow trail.
Hunting
General information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Kings Park Unique Area is open to bowhunting only in accordance with State laws and regulations. One parking spot (for up to two hunters) is designated for hunters only during bowhunting seasons. Only one vehicle with up to two people may hunt on Kings Park Unique Area at a time. Consult hunting on Long Island for information on hunting opportunities and obtaining hunting permits. See Long Island Public Hunting Areas for specifics on the types of hunting that are allowed on this property.
Follow all hunting safety guidelines and be prepared before going into the woods. For questions related to hunting on this property, call the Stony Brook office at (631) 444-0310.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
One can expect to see white-tailed deer, turkeys, flying squirrels, red squirrels, box turtles, eastern cottontails, red eyed vireos, eastern wood peewees, and hairy woodpeckers.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
Kings Park Unique Area has accessible parking and a wide, graded trail. The trails lead hikers through oak brush and early successional habitat. The Clarence Hylan Beavers Memorial Trail is 0.3-miles long and drops one foot in elevation for every 20 feet in length, making it a gradient accessible to people with mobility limitations.
Hiking, bowhunting, and wildlife viewing are all available in parts of the 69 acre green space.
Directions
The property is located south of Route 25A and east of the Sunken Meadow Parkway in the Town of Smithtown, just south of Kings Park High School.
- Meadow Road parking area (40.880173°N, 73.245497°W) Google Map (leaves the DEC website)
One parking spot (for up to two hunters) is designated for hunters only during bowhunting seasons.
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.
All users of Kings Park Unique Area must follow all DEC Suffolk County Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Planning and Management
DEC is developing a management plan which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at R1.UMP@dec.ny.gov.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Caleb Smith State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Nissequogue River State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Sunken Meadow State Park (leaves DEC website)
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Kings Park and Smithtown.
- Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Kings Park and Smithtown.
- Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Kings Park and Smithtown.
- Lodging can be found in the nearby community of Smithtown.
Discover Long Island (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
