Otis Pike Preserve
(formerly Navy Cooperative Area)
Manorville/Calverton area

Directions:

Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) to exit 71; turn left onto Nugent Drive (Route 24)/Edwards Avenue north; pass South River Road and turn left onto River Road (second left just past the river); drive for 1.2 miles to a parking area (site #17) on the left (south) side of the road.

There is also parking on South River Road, a road that goes through the middle of the preserve. South River Road is the first left.

Or:

From the Long Island Expressway, take exit 69N. Parking areas are located on Manorville-Wading River Road between Schultz Road and Line Road. The canoe launch facility is on Connecticut Avenue, south of River Road.

This WMA is located a few miles east of Randall Pond. Kiosks at Randall Pond have maps showing parking areas. Visitors need permits.

History:

The two principal public landowners in unit 6 are Suffolk County and the Navy, currently. However, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ("DEC") manages the largest acreage in this unit through the Fish and Wildlife Management Act in an area known as the Navy Cooperative Area. The United States Navy still owns lands that were crash zones for the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant operated by Grumman. Here was the old Gruman airport in Calverton

These lands were dedicated as the Otis Pike Preserve and will be deeded to the DEC in the near future. The Otis Pike Preserve in this unit and 901 acres owned by Suffolk County as part of Robert Cushman Murphy County Park make up most of the Navy Cooperative Area. Other lands managed as part of the Navy Co-op are in the two adjacent stewardship units, Brookhaven State Park and Manorville Hills.

Habitats:

Mixed oak, pine barrens, ponds, and open habitat, coastal ponds, and headwaters of the Peconic River. The river goes through the northern part of the park. There is a lake on the river.

Facilities:

Trails provided for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Excellent seasonal hunting. Many ponds provide ample opportunity for fishing and canoeing. Areas available for dog training.

Permit station for property is located at the Ridge Conservation Area. Access by daily permit Nov. 1-Dec. 31 & January deer season (Reservations are required for weekends, holidays, and January deer season), by seasonal permit Jan. 2-Oct. 31.

Trails:

The Paumanok Path goes through the park at its southwestern corner.