BROOKHAVEN STATE PARK

2,500 acres

Directions:

one area for hiking is at the s.w. corner of Shoreham-Wading River H.S. lot, NY 25A, 1/4 mile east of Wm. Floyd Parkway.

History:

1917  --  Camp Upton built as an induction and training facility for new soldiers during World War I. The camp named after Major General Emory Upton, a Union general in the Civil War. It was Campton Upon that Irving Berlin was referring to in his famous song "Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning."

Between World Wars I and II  --  the camp was used by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps to plant trees and make other improvements.

1940  -- the camp reopens, once again, as a military training ground.

In 1944  --  used as a hospital to treat wounded veterans of the war. 

1945  --  500 German prisoners of war sent to Camp Upton.

1947  --  the camp replaced by Brookhaven National Laboratory, to conduct scientific research. The lab remains in operation to this day with funding from the Department of Energy.

During the 1970s and '80s  --  various environmental agencies and organizations work to protect the Pine Barrens. It was understood that establishing a "greenbelt" was crucial for the preservation of this vital resource.

1971 -- 2,300 acres that had been part of Brookhaven National Laboratory ceded by the federal government to New York State creating Brookhaven State Park.

Habitats:

In addition to various oak-pine habitats, includes scattered wetlands.

Trails:

The Brookhaven Trail heading south through the park hooks up with the white-blazed Paumanok Path. 

PLANTS:

Cornus florida (flowering dogwood)
Pinus rigida (pitch pine)
Quercus spp. (oak)
Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)
Geranium maculatum (wild geranium)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)

Skp Blanchard found near Brookhaven:
Euphorbia ipecacuanha