Stroller and wheelchair-friendly walking trails on Long Island
A family enjoying a walk at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Stroller- and wheelchair-accessible paths abound at Long Island parks, preserves and beachfront destinations. Parking is free unless noted.
Best bets for stroller paths on Long Island
WATER VIEWS: Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, Inwood Park in Inwood and Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh.
PLAYGROUNDS: Centennial Park in Roosevelt, Wantagh Park in Wantagh and Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn.
ARBORETUMS: Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River and Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley.
Nassau
Bailey Arboretum
194 Bailey Rd., Locust Valley
There's a paved path from the parking lot to the Bailey estate house, and one along the sensory garden. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; baileyarboretum.com, 516-801-1458.
Centennial Park is located in Roosevelt. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Centennial Park
Centennial Avenue, Roosevelt
Paths wind around recreational fields and a playground. Open dawn to dusk; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-8695.
Nina Chalson climbs through the playground with some help from mom, Danielle Chalson, at Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Christopher Morley Park
Searingtown Road, Roslyn
Here you'll find a park with a playground and picnic area and a wide paved walking trail. Open dawn to dusk; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-8113.
A man getting some exercise while riding his bike with his dog in tow through the autumn colors at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow November 2021. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Eisenhower Park
Merrick and Stewart avenues, East Meadow
There's a paved 2-plus-mile winding trail around the park. Park near the playground at Field 2 and start at the beginning. Along the way, you'll find a mini-golf station, a track and a small lake. Open dawn to dusk; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-572-0347.
A family walks along the shoreline in Inwood. Credit: Howard Simmons
Inwood Park
600 Bayview Ave., Inwood
Paved walking paths and a park are surrounded by water at this trail located in the southwest part of Nassau County; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-7894.
People running, walking and biking through John J. Burns Park in Massapequa in a warm sunny day May 2020. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
John J. Burns Park
4990 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park
Walk around the park to catch a game or two on the playing fields and ballparks, which are adjacent to a South Shore canal. Open dawn to dusk; oysterbaytown.com, 516-797-7980.
People on the boardwalk in Jones Beach July 2022. Credit: Howard Simmons
Jones Beach State Park
2400 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh
Home of 6.5 miles of white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean, the boardwalk is a 4-mile out-and-back trail parallel to the ocean. Open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 516-785-1600. Parking: $10 a car daily May 25-Sept. 15; $8 weekends and holidays May 19 and Sept. 21-Nov. 3.
A woman running while pushing a baby stroller on the boardwalk during a cold, overcast day in Long Beach November 2013. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams, Jr.
Long Beach Boardwalk
Neptune Boulevard to New York Avenue, Long Beach
Open to strollers, 2.2 miles one way, double it up for a workout; open dusk to dawn daily; longbeachny.gov, 516-431-1000.
Mary Jane Davies Green
Plandome Road, Manhasset
Paved pathways throughout the park; open 7:30 a.m. to dusk; northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-6311. Free street parking with two-hour limit.
Michael J. Tully Park
1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park
Take in nature on paved walking paths between 7:30 a.m. and dusk; northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-6311.
Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick
This park and preserve has an uphill, winding path. Once at the top, get ready for views of the New York City skyline. There's also a windmill and pond. Open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March and October, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April and September, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May to August; front gates close 30 minutes prior to park closing; hempsteadny.gov, 516-804-2000.
Rev. Arthur Mackey Sr. Park
49 Lakeside Dr., Roosevelt
Paved paths and a large playground area provide a range of activities for youngsters. Benches line the walkway. Open dawn to dusk daily; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-8692.
Sands Point Preserve
127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
Enjoy a paved hilly walk to the freshwater pond. Paved paths go between Hempstead House and Castle Gould. April 3 to May 26 and Sept. 4 to Nov. 3: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day; May 29 to Sept. 2: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Labor Day. Admission: $15 carload, $4 per walk-in; collected all year; sandspointpreserveconservancy.org, 516-571-7901.
Valley Stream State Park
Valley Stream State Park Road, Valley Stream
The walking paved trail is lined with trees and shrubs. There's also a picnic area and playground. Open dawn to dusk daily; parks.ny.gov, 516-825-4128. Parking: $8 a car daily May 25-Sept. 2; and weekends and holidays May 19 and Sept. 7-Oct. 14.
Wantagh Park
1 King Rd., Wantagh
A paved path passes the playground and dog run before reaching the waterfront. Open dawn to dusk daily; nassaucountyny.gov, 516-571-7460. Parking: $10 a car weekends and holidays for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Suffolk
A community member at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, August 2023. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
440 Montauk Hwy., Great River
The main trail is stroller-friendly and makes its way around the state park that includes an arboretum as well as a mansion. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, April to October; bayardcuttingarboretum.com, 631-581-1002. Parking: $8 Tues.-Sun. May 1-Sept. 2, $8 weekends Sept. 7-mid-Nov. Special events may have additional entrance fees.
Dylan and Cherlyn Chung, of Islip, strolled with their son Marcus at Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon in March 2021. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Belmont Lake State Park
North Babylon
A paved path meanders around the lake. Open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 631-669-1000. Parking: $8 a car daily May 25-Labor Day; weekends and holidays May 19 and Sept. 7-Oct. 14.
Explore Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve in Lloyd Harbor. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Huntington
Paved paths for about 3 miles; open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 631-423-1770. Parking: $8 per vehicle on weekends and holidays May 19 and Sept. 7-Oct. 14; May 25-Sept. 2, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
Fire Island Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park, parking field 5, Babylon
Follow the path to the gravel road to the National Seashore boardwalk that leads to the lighthouse. Open dawn to dusk; nps.gov, 631-569-2100. Lighthouse is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, tower 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, free admission to the museum; tower climb, $10, $5 ages 12 and younger plus be at least 42 inches to climb, $5 ages 62 and older, fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-583-5901. Parking at Robert Moses State Park: $10 a car daily May 25-Sept. 15; $8 weekends and holidays May 19 and Sept. 21-Nov. 10.
Lakeland County Park
Johnson Avenue, Islandia
You'll find a nature trail boardwalk over the headwaters of the Connetquot River, where you can catch views of waterfowl and wildlife. Open dawn to dusk; suffolkcountyny.gov, 631-854-4949.
Marisa Reisinger, of Queens, goes for a run at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park in May 2021. Credit: Newsday / Raychel Brightman
Sunken Meadow State Park
Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park
Strollers are allowed on the boardwalk and along the paved paths around the park. Open dawn to dusk; parks.ny.gov, 631-269-4333. Parking: $10 a car daily May 25-Sept. 8; $8 weekends and holidays May 19 and Sept. 14-Nov. 3.
