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Laurel
Valley County Park is a little gem of a park, situated in
Noyac. Curiously, it is absent from most listings of
Suffolk County Parks. Where it is mentioned it’s described
as a “passive park for hiking and birdwatching.” This
beautiful and tranquil 148-acre park, maintained by
Southampton Trails Preservation Society, is definitely worth
a visit.
The
trails are well marked, but since there are four different
ones in the park it can be confusing. The Paumanok Path*
runs east to west along the southern portion of the park.
The Blue-Owl Loop, which joins the Paumanok Path at one
point, and is bisected by the Black-Owl Loop at another
point, is identifiable by diamond shape signs showing a blue
owl on a white background. The Yellow Owl Trail breaks off
from the Blue-Owl Loop to take you to the south end of
Wildwood Road another good trailhead for the park. If you
have a map, you will see that the Yellow Owl Trail takes you
to the portion of the Blue Loop Trail near the scenic
overlook in the northeastern corner of the park. From here
you can look out beyond the Noyack Golf Course to Little
Peconic Bay and with the assistance of binoculars, you can
view the North Fork. |
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There is a map of the trails in the park posted on the
kiosk, but it is stationary. Obtaining a map of Laurel
Valley in advance of your hike is advisable. They are
available through the mail for $4.50. Send a check along
with your address to the Southampton Trails Preservation
Society at PO Box 1172, Bridgehampton, N.Y. 11932. Be sure
to state which map you need as STPS has several maps
available. For more information call (631) 537-5202.
The
mountain laurels except after unusually harsh winters give
the hiker a lovely display of flowers in June. The knob and
kettle topography, the deep ravines, a glacial erratic, and
an exquisite view of the Peconic Bay all provide plenty of
geological interest even without the laurels in bloom.
There is a varied ecology in this park. Large communities
of bracken fern, American beech, black locust, and oak trees
co-exist here. This is a great place for bird watching; I
have seen a great horned owl take flight, the mating of
American woodcocks, and a red-tailed hawk circling above
along with many other species of birds. The song of
Baltimore orioles, the “tish-tish” of ovenbirds and the
sounds of many other birds is a treat to the ears and to the
soul.
Directions to Laurel Valley: From County Road 39, head east
past Southampton College, bear left onto North Sea Road.
Follow the sign for Route 52, Sag Harbor and North Sea.
After traveling 2.4 miles bear right onto Noyac Road (Route
38). Travel 4.6 miles to Deerfield Road where you will make
a very sharp right turn. You will find the trailhead
approximately 1 mile south on the left side of the road.
There is no comfort station or designated parking area, but
there is room for several cars on the shoulder of the road
opposite the entrance to the North Side Hills Development.
I suggest that you enter the park from the Deerfield Road
entrance because there is a kiosk there and a map of the
trail is posted there.
If you
wish to visit the nearby Elizabeth A. Morton National
Wildlife Refuge after your walk through Laurel Valley,
travel north one mile on Deerfield Road to the intersection
of Noyac Road. Turn right and travel 0.4 of a mile east on
Noyac Road. You will see the entrance to the Refuge on your
left.
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The
Paumanok Path is a 130-mile long path running from Rocky
Point to Montauk. It is identified by white painted
rectangle blazes on the trees. This project is a
regional initiative undertaken through the cooperative
efforts of New York State Parks, Department of
Environmental Conservation, Suffolk County Parks,
Southampton Town, East Hampton Town, The Peconic Land
Trust, the Nature Conservancy, South Fork Natural
History Society, Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference,
Southampton Trails Preservation Society, East Hampton
Trails Preservation Society, Group for the South Fork
and many private landowners.
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