10 Best Snow Day Activities on the North Fork

With snow falling on the North Fork and expected 15 to 20 inches of the white stuff when all is said and done, schools and businesses throughout the area are closed today. So, what’s a North Forker to do on a wintery day like today?

Play, of course.

Here is a list of 10 places to enjoy the fruits of Mother Nature’s icy labor.

1. Green Hill Cemetery, Greenport: One of the oldest and most popular sledding spots in Greenport is located on Webb Street, between Second and Third Streets, behind the historic Green Hill Cemetery. Steep hills make this the perfect snowy day play place.

2. Wolf Pit:  This tiny Mattituck Park District nature preserve, located at 5005 Wickham Avenue, in Mattituck, is also a great local spot for good sledding hills. More importantly, is a great place to go ice skating.

3. Greenport Ice Skating Rink: Speaking of ice skating, temperatures are expected to drop drastically after this recent storm, making the conditions perfect for going out on the ice. , located at Mitchell Park in downtown Greenport, is an excellent place to get into the winter spirit.

4. Laurel Lake Preserve: , located behind the Southold Town Tourist Information Center, 4995 Route 25, is great for those who want to use the snow day to get a little exercise. Cross country skiing is a favorite pastime among locals in the winter months who say that the 400-acre Laurel Lake Preserve has the best trails. Take a break and ice skate on beautiful Laurel Lake as well.

5. Mill Road Preserve: Another great cross country skiing spot, although smaller than the Laurel Lake Preserve, is the located at 1900 West Mill Road, in Mattituck. The 27-acre preserve offers a number of great trails.

6. Marratooka Lake Park: This park, nestled between New Suffolk Avenue and Route 25 in Mattituck, across from Mattituck High School, features a small freshwater lake that has been a favorite ice-skating spot for years. There are some good sledding hills at Marratooka Lake as well.

7. Orient Point County Park: At Orient point, across from the entrance to the Cross Sound Ferry, is , featuring more great trails for cross country skiing.

8. Goat Hill: Shelter Islander’s know that Goat Hill, at the public golf course is the best place on Shelter Island to go sledding. Awesome hills make this the hottest snow spot on the island, located at 26 Sunnyside Avenue in Shelter Island Heights.

9. Your Own Back Yard: Once you’ve dug out your car and shoveled your walkway, spend some time playing in the snow. Snowball fights and snowman making can help you pass the day away.

10. Your Own Neighborhood: One of the most wonderful things to do after a winter storm is to go for a walk. Since travel conditions are likely going to be dicey, don’t worry if you can’t get to any of the above mentioned spots. A walk around your neighborhood, taking in the beauty of winter, can be just as fun and exhilarating.