Open space preservation

Broad Cove Preserve in Aquebogue has been added to the NYS Birding Trail after habitat restoration and trail improvements. Photos of the preserve.

Deal to preserve Peconic Farms property in South Jamesport falls through amidst controversy over possible recreation use.

The Riverhead Town Board unanimously endorsed preserving as open space “without improvement or development” a 9.6-acre site next to the South Jamesport town marina and beach.

Guest column: The choice is straightforward: participate in shaping a preservation plan with county support, or step aside and allow development to move forward.

Town officials question a county plan to acquire a Jamesport parcel as open space, citing concerns about public access, costs and tax impacts.

Representatives of environmental groups, community groups and local government officials across eastern Suffolk County turned out for a two-hour, wide-ranging conversation with state legislators Thursday morning in Riverhead. 

Suffolk County has preserved almost 140 acres of open space and farmland along the historic Sound Avenue corridor in Riverhead, County Legislator Al Krupski announced yesterday.

The county legislature yesterday approved the purchase of development rights on the 50-acre Schmitt farm in Riverhead as well as the purchase outright of 20 acres adjacent to the North Fork Preserve, which the county acquired for parkland in 2011.

After backlash from environmental advocates and opposition among legislators, the county executive today withdrew his bill to put a referendum on the November ballot that would have changed the distribution of quarter-percent sales tax revenues.

The Links at Cherry Creek and The Woods at Cherry Creek on Reeves Avenue, which are on the market for sale at $25 million, and could be developed with houses, would be returned to their natural state if acquired by the county.