Mountain biking trail opens in Port Washington woods

A 2-mile-long trail at Hempstead Harbor Woods in Port Washington opened to the public Wednesday, making it the first mountain biking trail in North Hempstead for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.

“This is something that benefits everybody,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday. It “has added another wonderful recreational aspect to a parcel of town-owned land that previously was just very difficult to access.”

The total length of the trail, which is designed to wind through the 200-acre nature preserve, is planned to be 5 miles long. Officials expect the remaining three miles to be completed by the end of 2020.

For mountain bikers like Gary Kosits, 67, of Sands Point, the new trail meant he no longer had to go to Bethpage State Park or Stillwell Woods Preserve in Syosset to ride.

“This is in my backyard,” Kosits said. “Having something that is close means that you don't have to go out and make a day of it.”

Kosits was one of about 50 members of Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists who built the trail — at no cost to the town. Through volunteering to clear the trail, he became friends with fellow rider Richard Schielke, 65, of Massapequa.

“For me, it's my social life. I ride with a group of guys that are my age where most of us are retired,” he said. “We ride, we stop for coffee, we keep up with each other. It's more than just the cycling. It's the camaraderie, and it's meeting new people like Richard.”

Michael Vitti, president of the Woodbury-based nonprofit, said the idea of building a trail seemed like a no-brainer to him.

“Outdoor activities, especially in a natural setting, makes you feel good. It's better than antidepressants,” he said. “The side [effect] is you're healthier, and I wanted to share this with everybody.”

While the concept was simple, Vitti said it took the volunteers months to clear a pathway in the preserve that was overgrown with weeds, poison ivy and thistle bushes.

“It looked impossible at first,” Vitti said. “It’s inch by inch, anything's a cinch. If you have many people helping, then nobody has to do a lot.”

Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, who represents Port Washington, said the project was almost “too good to be true.”

“We really wanted to preserve the woods and do something very sustainable,” she said. “It's sort of honoring nature.”

Linn Johnson, of Port Washington-based environmental advocacy nonprofit PWGreen, said the opening Wednesday was only a beginning.

“This is like a first step,” said Johnson, 45, of Port Washington. “We expect to have signs along the way that are going to point out the points of interest.”

Geordie Grassie, who was dressed in full riding gear Wednesday, stopped to catch his breath after finishing a ride on the trail.

“It was awesome. It flows beautifully,” said Grassie, 57, of Oyster Bay. “I dig it. I need to go back in.”