Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon: Spend a scenic fall day at the park

Katie Zimmermann wears a green tulle tutu at Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon one sunny fall-like afternoon — it’s part of the 35-year-old nurse from Holtsville’s team spirit costume at the South Shore University Hospital’s annual leadership retreat for managers. The 60 participants bond over egg races, Hula-Hoop challenges and kickball.

Nearby, Jack Armstrong arrives at the park with his Siberian Husky Maverick; he’s headed to the fenced-in dog park, separated into areas for large and small dogs. "They’re all friends," says Armstrong, 62, a retired police officer from West Babylon, who calls the outing a dog coffee klatch.

Farther into the park, Marcia and Mel Friedman, of West Babylon, sit companionably in folding chairs by the lake while Mel, 80, concentrates on a word search game and Marcia, 77, enjoys the water view and the ducks. "This is our happy place," Marcia says. "We come here all the time; I bring my grandchildren. Look how beautiful it is here."

Belmont Lake continues to be a popular park destination as the leaves turn from green to gold. There continues to be pedal boat rentals, fishing in the lake, and special events to celebrate Halloween and the December holidays.

LAKE IS THE MAIN EVENT

The state park, located just off Exit 38 of the Southern State Parkway, offers playgrounds, baseball fields, basketball courts, boccie ball and horseshoes, first-come-first-served shaded picnic areas, grills, biking, wooded hikes and a path around the 18-acre lake in addition to the dog park and rentable pavilions for groups up to 200 people. The park is a moderate size, with 459 acres of grounds and 4 miles of trails, says Joe Brodtman, park manager. "We get a good variation of different lifestyles and cultures. It’s a breath of fresh air when everybody gets together and has a nice weekend," he says.

The lake is the main attraction: In the fall and spring it is stocked with brown, brook and rainbow trout; year-round fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, yellow perch, and carp. Anyone older than 16 needs a New York State Fishing License. Visitors can rent the 56 pedal boats, five kayaks and eight rowboats, with availability limited from noon and 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays through Columbus Day, Brodtman says. Boats rent for $20 each for two hours; capacity is strictly limited to four people per pedal boat and five per rowboat and dogs are not allowed on board. People can also launch their hard-bottom, motorless boats from the dock during boating hours, but surfboards, wakeboards and paddleboards are not allowed.

Renting one of Belmont Lake’s four pavilions ranges from $200 to $250. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com. Groups of fewer than 50 people are free in the general picnic area if not entering with a bus and/or bringing alcohol.

In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed, weather permitting, but there’s no sledding because the park’s only hill is close to the Southern State Parkway. "We do not like the idea of children near high-speed cars," Brodtman says.

NATURE DRAWS VISITORS

Belmont Lake State Park was established in 1926 and is named for a previous owner of the land, August Belmont, who used it for equestrian activities. It is the regional headquarters for all state parks on Long Island, Brodtman says.

The park offers special events including the annual Great Jack-O-Lantern Sail and the Holiday Tree Lighting.

The Great Jack-o'-lantern Sail happens from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26.  People bring their pre-carved pumpkins and set them onto boats that will take them through the lake, Brodtman says.

The tree lighting is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 7. Santa Claus will be in a building for photos after the tree is lit, Brodtman says.

But it’s the scenic park itself that draws Stacey Polynice, 27, a physical therapy student from North Babylon, to walk or to run on the path around the lake, she says. "I’m really a nature person," she says, "and it’s relaxing for sure."

By Beth Whitehouse

beth.whitehouse@newsday.comBethWhitehouse1

Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.