Vista saved by three-way deal
David Weinstein says his property borders the 27-acre DeForest Williams tract in Cold Spring Harbor. Part of the tract is seen behind him. Weinstein is involved with other community activists to get Suffolk County to purcase the land. (Oct. 18, 2011) Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
A three-way arrangement that would finally permit Suffolk County, the Town of Huntington and the North Shore Land Alliance, a private conservation group, to save a 28-acre wooded preserve is welcome news.
The tract sits on a bluff just at the county's border in Cold Spring Harbor and provides a special vista to those traveling on Route 25A. One of the few remaining undeveloped areas in Western Suffolk, this heavily forested area is part of a 42-acre historic estate known as "Wawapek." The parcel is home to osprey, fox, owls and wildflowers. It has freshwater springs and hiking paths that can connect to Long Island's Greenbelt trail.
The alternative to preservation was a subdivision for 12 quite expensive single-family homes.
There have been efforts for three decades to put this land into a public trust, but last week outgoing Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) got the legislature to authorize an appraisal and an environmental assessment of the property. The county's 50 percent contribution and the town's 25 percent share will come from existing open space accounts, which voters approved by referendum. The Alliance has been fundraising to cover its share.
Permanent acquisition, expected to be completed in a few months, will earn this public-private partnership a nice round of applause.
