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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.
Upcoming Events/Announcements
-
 Friends' Mid-Year Appeal
With the considerable and much-appreciated support of donors such as you, the Friends of Connetquot continues to
make great progress in enhancing the historic structures of the Connetquot River State Park Preserve and the way its
visitors experience this beautiful place.
As an organization, we constantly strive to grow and
improve. Consequently, in April, Friends of Connetquot
was thrilled to receive an Organizational Excellence
Award from the Society for the Preservation of Long
Island Antiquities. But none of these accomplishments
would have possible without you.
Please read our full appeal and
about all the work the Friends have done and are
continuing to do, with your help, to keep Connetquot the
treasure that it is.
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 The Hatchery is Officially OPEN!
Thanks to everyone for your support!
The hatchery has finally been re-opened!
Click here to view a video with complete details.
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2015 Connetquot Fall Fly Fishing Outing
 Friday, October
7th, 2016
The Friends would like to invite all to enjoy a day of
fly fishing and a tasty gourmet lunch (catered by the
Snapper Inn) on the beautiful Connetquot River.
Admission is $ 75 per person as our costs have increased. We are sorry but there will be no refunds for cancellations.
There will be fish stocked for the occasion.
Please call Ed Kelleher for a reservation.
Remember that space is limited, so plan accordingly.
Ed Kelleher - (631) 724-8134
Click here to register or for more information
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 19th Annual Gala Celebration
Monday,
November 7, 2016 - 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Where: Captain Bill's - Bay Shore,
NY
Friends of Connetquot cordially invite you to join us for an evening of fun at our 19th
Annual Gala Celebration!
See the Gala page for
more, including reservation/sponsorship information.
This year we'll posthumously honor Fran Levesque, long-time advocate and active supporter of Connetquot River State Park Preserve as the recipient of the the Gil Bergen Preservationist Award. Dinner, dancing, open bar, with live and Chinese auctions. Only $75/person.
An entertaining and fun evening is planned, and we are counting on you to join us in celebrating the past, present and future of the Connetquot Preserve yet again!
 With regard to New York State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) proposed plan to allow bow hunting at Connetquot...
As reported by the media, residents who border the Connetquot River State Park Preserve and other users of the preserve have expressed their concerns about allowing bow hunting there beginning November 2015. Friends of Connetquot also has many questions and concerns about this plan. Representatives of the Friends Board of Directors plan to attend a meeting of the LI Regional Commission of the NY Council of Parks to request full information about the proposed bow hunting of deer at the preserve and to voice the organization’s concerns. Said meeting
was held on
Monday, August 3rd at Hempstead Lake State Park.
Result of the meeting follows:
UPDATE From NYSPRHP :
Thank you for taking the time to contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Long Island Region regarding the proposal to authorize hunting within Connetquot River State Park Preserve.
We will not authorize hunting within Connetquot River State Park Preserve during the upcoming hunting season (end of 2015 beginning of 2016). We will be continuing our research and meeting with individuals and organizations involved with this issue as well as the individuals and supporters of Connetquot River State Park Preserve over the next several months so that we can make an informed decision moving forward.
Friends of Connetquot Receive $66,000 Grant from the Robert D. L. Gardiner Foundation
September 9, 2015
Oakdale, NY - The Friends of Connetquot
Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Friends
were awarded a
Robert D. L. Gardiner Foundation matching
grant of $66,000 to support efforts to restore the Nicoll
Grist Mill located in the Connetquot River State Park
Preserve. The Mill, which dates to the early 1700's, is an
iconic structure and one of the few mills in the nation
whose mechanisms are still based on the original Norse
design utilizing a horizontal wheel to grind.
The Friends have been spearheading the restoration of the Mill. To date, work on the foundation, framing,
shingles and doors has been completed. The Friends will utilize the matching grant from the
Robert D. L.
Gardiner Foundation to reinstall the main drive mechanism, horizontal wheel and mill stones. Once complete,
the Mill will be a museum dedicated to increasing the public’s understanding of the social and industrial history
of Long Island and the Preserve's role within that framework.
Friends Board Chair Robert Labuski, speaking on behalf of the Board, has said that the Friends
"are very
grateful to the Robert D. L. Gardiner Foundation for their constant support of the Mill restoration. Their
generosity is allowing us to finish the Mill restoration, which, when complete, will be a new cultural resource
for the residents of Long Island."
 Download this press release in PDF format.
Chairman's Letter, FOC Newsletter,
Spring 2016
The Chairman's Letter for Spring 2016 has been released.
Here are the highlights:
- The Friends are proud to announce that the hatchery is now fully operational.
- Our recent
lectures on foxes and bats drew large
audiences.
- The
annual Trail Ride and Hike was held on May
1st, and again the weather was uncooperative,
but the event was still a success.
- About six hundred pine seedlings were
planted on
I Love My Park Day, May 8th, to replace many
that have been heavily damaged by southern pine
beetles, and subsequently removed.
- A pair of American Bald Eagles have made the park their hunting grounds. They have been seen almost every day, fishing the river and main pond.
Please visit the Chairman's Letter page to read the full letter.
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.
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