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Oct. 4: Five Local Parks to Visit During Fall

As the weather cools and the leaves start to turn, the North Fork has several parks for a fall stroll.

 

Whether on the water or encompassed in woods, North Fork Parks are still great to visit during the fall. Here are five — feel free to let us know what your favorite is in the boxes below.

Orient Beach State Park: Check out this park as its pristine maritime forest changes with the weather. Stroll along the expansive beach, now peaceful without too many tourists, in the cool breeze off of Gardiners Bay.

Dam Pond Preserve: Fall is a great time to hike the trails around Dam Pond Preserve, a county-owned park in East Marion. The trails are tucked away just off the Orient-East Marion causeway.

Inlet Pond County Park: Like the birds of fall? Then this 55-acre nature preserve in Greenport is for you. Take a walk around its 1.6 miles of groomed trails leading to Inlet Park and the Long Island Sound.

Emerson Park (South Harbor Park to some), Southold:  Who needs summer to go to the beach? Grab a chair and a book and head to this quiet sandy expanse on Peconic Bay at the end of South Harbor Road in Southold.

Laurel Lake Preserve: The trails of Laurel Lake Preserve take you away from the relative hustle and bustle of daytime Mattituck and provide excellent scenery if you're into foliage. Over 480 acres of land are preserved here just north of Route 25 in Laurel around a 30-acre freshwater body formed by a glacier 10,000 years ago.

About this column: If nothing else, take with you this daily guide to what's happening, and what's news on the North Fork. Related Topics: Dam Pond, Emerson Park, Inlet Pond County Park, Laurel Lake Preserve, and Orient Beach State Park

mhorine1

9:05 am on Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Does anyone know if the Laurel Lakes trails are good for running? And are leashed dogs allowed?

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Erin Schultz

9:19 am on Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Meredith -- Laurel Lake Trails are great for running -- but look out for dogs on the run too, especially on the weekend mornings! -- Erin

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Rick & Linda Kedenburg

9:32 am on Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Inlet Pond County Park is also home to North Fork Audubon Society and their Red House Nature Center. Enjoy the viewing platform overlooking Inlet Pond itself. Constructed by NFAS and the Town of Southold DPW.

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Rick & Linda Kedenburg

9:39 am on Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Goldsmith's Inlet County Park is also a nice walk with a trail beginning at the south end of the inlet, running into the hills and ending with beautiful views of the inlet, Duck Pond Point, Horton Point and LI Sound. There is a small parking area at the trailhead on Soundview Avenue, just 1/4 mile east of Mill Lane, Peconic. Just beautiful in the fall !

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Erin Schultz

1:16 pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Dan's Bike Rental in Greenport said on Facebook: "Another nice feature from PATCH."

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