Stroller and wheelchair-friendly walking trails on Long Island
A family walks down a path at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Stroller- and wheelchair-accessible paths abound at Long Island parks, preserves and beachfront destinations. Parking is free unless noted.
NASSAU
Bailey Arboretum
194 Bailey Rd., Locust Valley
Walk the paved path at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Credit: Linda Rosier
There's a paved path from the parking lot to the Bailey estate house, and one along the sensory garden. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, free, donations accepted; baileyarboretum.org, 516-801-1458.
Centennial Park
1 Centennial Ave., Roosevelt
Paths wind around recreational fields and a playground. Open dawn to dusk; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-8695.
Christopher Morley Park
500 Searingtown Rd., Roslyn
Here you'll find a park with a playground and picnic area and a wide paved walking trail. Open dawn to dusk; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-8113. Parking: $10 a car weekends and holidays for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Free parking for residents.
Eisenhower Park
1899 Hempstead Tpke. and Merrick Avenue, East Meadow
Eisenhower Park in East Meadow offers 2-plus miles of paved trails. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
There's a paved 2-plus-mile winding trail around the park. Park near the playground at Field 2 and start at the beginning. Along the way, you'll find a mini golf station, a track and a small lake. Open dawn to dusk; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-572-0347.
Inwood Park
600 Bayview Ave., Inwood
Paved walking paths and a park are surrounded by water at this trail located in southwest Nassau County; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-7894.
John J. Burns Park
4990 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park
People running, walking and biking through John J. Burns Park in Massapequa. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Walk around the park to catch a game or two on the playing fields and ballparks, which are adjacent to a South Shore canal. Open dawn to dusk; oysterbaytown.com, 516-797-7980.
Jones Beach State Park
2400 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh
Home to 6.5 miles of white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean, the boardwalk is a 4-mile out-and-back trail parallel to the ocean. Open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 516-785-1600. Parking: $10 a car daily May 23-Sept. 13; $8 weekends and holidays May 17 and Sept. 19-Nov. 8.
Long Beach Boardwalk
Neptune Boulevard to New York Avenue, Long Beach
Rhiannon Taras, of Long Beach, pushes a stroller as her dad Michael provides encouragement on the Long Beach Boardwalk. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Open to strollers, 2.2 miles one way, double it up for a workout. Open dusk to dawn daily; longbeachny.gov, 516-431-1000.
Mary Jane Davies Green
Plandome Road, Manhasset
Paved pathways throughout the park. Open 7:30 a.m. to dusk; northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-6311. Free street parking with two-hour limit.
Michael J. Tully Park
1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park
Take in nature on paved walking paths between 7:30 a.m. and sunset; northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-6311.
Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick
People jog and walk on the trail at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick. Credit: Danielle Silverman
This park and preserve has an uphill, winding path. Once at the top, get ready for views of the New York City skyline. There's also a windmill and pond. Open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. October, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April and September, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May to August; front gates close 30 minutes prior to park closing; hempsteadny.gov, 516-804-2000.
Rev. Arthur Mackey Sr. Park
49 Lakeside Dr., Roosevelt
Paved paths and a large playground area provide a range of activities for youngsters. Benches line the walkway. Open dawn to dusk daily; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-8692.
Sands Point Preserve
127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
Xiao Xing, of Queens, right, and friends on a paved path at Sands Point Preserve Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Enjoy a paved hilly walk to the freshwater pond. Paved paths go between Hempstead House and Castle Gould. Through May 25 and Sept. 2 to Nov. 1: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day; May 27 to Aug. 31: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Labor Day; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 12. Admission: $15 carload, $4 per walk-in; collected all year; sandspointpreserveconservancy.org, 516-571-7901.
Valley Stream State Park
Valley Stream State Park Road, Valley Stream
The paved walking trail is lined with trees and shrubs. There's also a picnic area and playground. Open dawn to dusk daily; parks.ny.gov, 516-825-4128. Parking: $8 a car daily May 23-Sept. 7; and weekends and holidays May 17 and Sept. 12-Oct. 12.
Wantagh Park
1 King Rd., Wantagh
A paved path passes the playground and dog run before reaching the waterfront. Open dawn to dusk daily; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-7460. Parking: $10 a car weekends and holidays for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
SUFFOLK
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
440 Montauk Hwy., Great River
The main trail is stroller-friendly and makes its way around the state park that includes an arboretum as well as a mansion. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3-March; closed Mondays; bayardcuttingarboretum.com, 631-581-1002. Parking: $8 weekends through Nov. 15, weekdays May 1-Sept. 7. Special events may have additional entrance fees.
Belmont Lake State Park
North Babylon
Meander around the lake at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
A paved path meanders around the lake. Open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 631-669-1000. Parking: $8 a car daily May 23-Labor Day; weekends and holidays May 17 and Sept. 12-Oct. 12.
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Huntington
Paved paths for about 3 miles; open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 631-423-1770. Parking: $8 a car daily May 23-Sept. 7 and weekends and holidays May 17 and Sept. 12-Oct. 12.
Fire Island Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park, parking field 5, Babylon
A boardwalk leads to the Fire Island Lighthouse. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Follow the path to the gravel road to the National Seashore boardwalk that leads to the lighthouse. Open dawn to dusk; nps.gov, 631-569-2100. Lighthouse is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, tower 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, free admission to the museum; tower climb, $10, $5 ages 12 and younger, must be at least 42 inches tall to climb, $5 ages 62 and older, fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-583-5901. Parking at Robert Moses State Park: $10 a car daily May 23-Sept.7; $8 a car weekends and holidays May 17 and Sept. 12-Nov. 1.
Lakeland County Park
Johnson Avenue, Islandia
You'll find a nature trail boardwalk over the headwaters of the Connetquot River, where you can catch views of waterfowl and wildlife. Open dawn to dusk; suffolkcountyny.gov, 631-854-4949.
Sunken Meadow State Park
Route 25A and Sunken Meadow State Parkway, Kings Park
People walk along the boardwalk at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
Strollers are allowed on the boardwalk and along the paved paths around the park. Open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 631-269-4333. Parking: $10 a car daily May 23-Sept. 11; $8 weekends and holidays May 17 and Sept. 12-Nov. 8.
