The Friends of Connetquot is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, conservation and continuation for future generations of the Connetquot River State Park Preserve. In order to maintain the environmental, ecological, cultural and historical integrity of the 3,473 acre preserve, the groups’ initiatives are:

• To help preserve the pristine environment
• To lend support to the management
• To help support the fishing habitat, woodlands, flora and fauna, hiking and bridle trail facilities and the educational programs
• To help protect and restore historic buildings

The Friends of Connetquot believe that the act of preservation is best accomplished when we keep an eye on the past, a foothold in the present, and our arms outstretched for the future.

Evening of Polo and Music - Saturday June 16th - 7:00pm

Enjoy the exciting and ancient game of Polo at Country Farms Equestrian Events Arena, 200 Bellport Avenue, Medford 11763.

Come and enjoy a fun, family evening to help the Friends of Connetquot. Each $30 donation includes admission for the Polo and show. Smiley Burger, Vineyard 48 and Blue Point Brewery will be available for a great ala carte meal and more. Half-time show featuring live music by blues and traditional guitarist and vocalist, Big Mike and the Blue Streak.

50-50 raffle and great items to support the Friends of Connetquot.

Children under 12 admitted free.

Gates open @ 6:00 pm and food and beverages will be available.

Have a great evening to support a great park!

To order tickets please send your donation to:

Friends Of Connetquot
PO Box 552
East Islip NY 11730

or call 631-277-4967 or email info@friendsofconnetquot.org.

Click here to download the flyer | See photos from last year's Polo and Music Event

15th Annual Spring Fun Trail Ride - Photos and Recap

The Friends of Connetquot would like to thank all the great folks who came out to support the Friends in their endeavors to help Connetquot State Park Preserve. Over 100 great friends came out on a great day to ride, hike and drive carriages through some of the most beautiful and historic trails on Long Island. Many generous people and businesses donated food, prizes and time to help make the event a huge success. Preliminary numbers look like it's a record breaking event.

Click here to see pictures and a recap from the 15th Trail Ride!

Chairman's Letter, FOC Newsletter, Winter 2012

The Chairman's Letter for Winter 2012 has been released.

Here are the highlights:

• Our two principal projects, the grist mill restoration and the reopening of the trout hatchery, continue to occupy the majority of our time.
• We were happy to see the fishers back on the river on November 4, 2011at our Fishing Outing.
• Only a few copies of the Friends of Connetquot calendar remain, most have been snapped up.
• A third photography workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th.
• The Friends are offering a new Earth Day Family Walk.
• We will be visiting local libraries again to present our program on the history of Connetquot Preserve.

Please visit the Chairman's Letter page to read the full letter.

The Friends Thank All Contributors to Our Midyear and Holiday Appeals of 2011

The Friends of Connetquot are heartened by the response to our fundraising appeals. It is encouraging to see the growing numbers of supporters who recognize the importance of their gifts to our organization’s programs and projects at Connetquot River State Park Preserve.

We have over six hundred members and supporters. Slightly over 20% of them have responded with their generosity. Before too long, we hope to convince everyone that all contributions, of any size, added together have the power to increase the strength and effectiveness of our organization in helping Connetquot Preserve to thrive.

For those who wish to contribute, please do so now by using the DONATE button on this website, found in the left hand column.

2012 Lecture Series

The Friends of Connetquot Lecture Series has quickly become a success and as such, we are proud to announce the lectures scheduled for 2012.  As always, lectures are free of charge ($8 Parking Fee (none with a NYS Empire Passport)) and open to the public with free refreshments.  To Reserve, please call: 631-581-1072 or via email at rsvp@friendsofconnetquot.org.  For details on each lecture, please visit our Lecture Series page.

• June 2, 2012 at 1:30 pm
  Speaker: Roger Smith
  Title: The Trout Will Return: Future Plans for the Connetquot Fish Hatchery
• September 22, 2012 at 1:30 pm
  Speaker: Richard Remmer
  Title: The Friends of Connetquot Vision for the Hatchery and Nicoll Grist Mill

2011 Gala Recap

Eat, drink and be merry was the imperative for our guests on the splendid Sunday of October 2 at the Friends Annual Gala.  The guest list was considerably shorter than in the past, but it was a joyous and successful event nonetheless.  Thanks to the support of  many generous donors, our auctions and raffle were brimming with valuable and beautiful prizes—from magnificent wood carvings, framed original art, limited edition prints, and photographs to guided fishing outings, a carriage ride that included lunch, and stable cleaning services.

Click here to see pictures and the full recap.

OnCell Audio Walking Tour!

Did you know you can take a walking audio tour of Connetquot River State Park Preserve using your own cell phone?  Thanks to OnCell and the Friends of Connetquot, you can learn about the history behind the landmarks of the park such as Mile Marker "50", the various bridges along the trails, the Ice House, Hatchery and more!  Plus, you can find out what to look for as you walk the trails of the park.  It's a whole new way to see Connetquot even if you've been here hundreds of times.

Simply download the map here or get one at the entrance booth as you come in to the park.  Call 631-703-3313 to begin the tour and look for the markers along the trail.  Enter the number on the marker and you'll be treated to a short summary of what you're looking at and what to look for.