Brookhaven acquires open space

The Town of Brookhaven has added another small piece of land to a fast-growing list of preserved space within the town.

The recent purchase of a 0.23-acre parcel within the Mastic-Shirley Conservation area joins the more than 140 acres of open space and farm-development rights the town acquired in 2010, according to the town. More than 200 acres are also currently in contract for purchase.

The town paid $40,000 for the newest parcel.

Town Councilman Dan Panico said the land is next to several small lots the town and Suffolk County have collectively acquired for open space.

The Mastic-Shirley Conservation area is on the town’s top-priority list for open space conservation because of its low-lying wetlands.

Panico said the area, south of neighborhood road in Mastic Beach and "a stone's throw away from the Great South Bay," consists of marshlands that help protect the bay by filtering runoff.

"In acquiring these parcels, we protect our bay and also protect the scenic vistas that make Long Island, and especially this area, desirable," he said.