Gov. Kathy Hochul announces 180-acre addition to Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve

ALBANY — New York will spend nearly $18 million to expand Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the addition of 180 acres of woodlands, wetlands and coastal bluffs to the 1,500-acre park in Lloyd Neck will help protect vulnerable coastal habitats.

"Conservation efforts like this are essential to addressing critical challenges like climate change and expanding recreation opportunities across the state parks system," Hochul said in a statement.

The parcel was listed as a priority project in the state’s Open Space Plan. The property was part of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception and was purchased by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation using money from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.

The land sits directly south of the existing park. It includes 12 acres of estuaries and marine wetlands, as well as bluffs and steep slopes that are vulnerable to erosion. It also includes clearings and woodland set back from the coast that will provide new recreation opportunities and views of the Lloyd Neck Harbor Inlet.

The Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is on a peninsula extending into Long Island Sound. The preserve includes miles of bridle paths and nature trails, along with extensive gardens, a historic English-style estate home and recreational options including fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, bird-watching, scuba diving and equestrian.