Nissequogue River State Park

History

Nissequogue River State Park was first established in 2000 on a 153 acre portion of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center property, which was closed in 1996. The remainder of the hospital's property remained available to development at that time.

In 2007, an additional 368 acre of former hospital property were added to Nissequogue River State Park. At the time of the transfer, 90 acre of the property that included the hospital's former buildings remained to be cleaned up and redeveloped, however plans called for development to be consistent with the surrounding parkland.

On May 17, 2010 New York State closed this park along with 55 other state parks due to budget cuts. However, the state reversed their decision on Nissequogue, and reopened the park on May 28, following passage of an $11 million deal in the state senate.

Demolition of 18 former hospital buildings, as well as the hospital's large smokestack, took place in 2013. A second round of demolitions was scheduled for 2016.

Park description

Recreational opportunities at the park include soccer, bird watching, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, biking, and guided tours. The park also includes a marina with seasonal boat slips.

A bird conservation area has been established at the park, with the primary purpose of protecting overwintering locations for waterfowl and migratory birds. The conservation area particularly aims to protect feeding and roosting habitat for wading birds such as egrets and herons.

Several former Kings Park Psychiatric Center buildings remain standing in the park. Among those buildings that have been renovated is the former Veterans Administration Building (Building 125), which serves as the park office. Other notable buildings include York Hall (Building 80), the hospital's main auditorium and theater, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since October 23, 2023. (#100009455)

References

References

1. "Nissequogue River State Park - Getting There". NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
2. (2014). "2014 New York State Statistical Yearbook". The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government.
3. "State Park Annual Attendance Figures by Facility: Beginning 2003".
4. Hagstroms Atlas of Suffolk County, New York (1973)
5. Winzelberg, David. (April 23, 2000). "More Access to the Sound at Kings Park". The New York Times.
6. Cotsalas, Valerie. (January 14, 2007). "Presto! This Land Is Parkland". The New York Times.
7. (December 13, 2010). "Acting Commissioner Beers' Testimony Before Assembly Standing Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development; Assembly Standing Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation". NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
8. MacGowan, Carl. (March 25, 2013). "Ex-Kings Park psych center smokestack set for demolition". Newsday.
9. Gralla, Joan. (October 19, 2014). "Nissequogue River State Park improvement project to start next year". Newsday.
10. "Nissequogue River State Park". NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
11. "Nissequogue River State Park Bird Conservation Areas". NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.