New underpass opens linking Avalon Preserve Park to Stony Brook Harbor

A new pedestrian underpass opened that links the Avalon Nature Preserve on the North Shore to the water's edge at Stony Brook Harbor.

The underpass is below Harbor Road and connects the preserve's memorial garden and native woodlands to the Shore Farm property, which lies north of Harbor Road and west of Shep Jones Lane. The nonprofit preserve purchased the 29-acre Shore Farm property for $7.8 million in 2016, Newsday previously reported. The multimillion-dollar project stretches back to 2017, officials said, when design plans were first being hatched. The Smithtown Town Board approved part of the plans in 2019, Newsday reported.

The underpass connects a 0.85-acre tract of trailway at the preserve property to paths that lead to Shore Farm. The preserve built a new observation deck at that property that overlooks the harbor, said Katharine Griffiths, executive director of the Avalon Nature Preserve.

Griffiths said in an interview that the project had been a “slow, steady build” due to the complexities of the work, the COVID-19 pandemic and the permitting process.

The new Shore Farm property includes access to saltwater tidal marshland, giving visitors a chance to explore the area's diverse ecosystems, Griffiths said.

“Visitors are going to get a great view of Stony Brook Harbor to the south. The wildflower meadows are starting to grow, there’s an overlook … and we were looking for that saltwater habitat to add to what we already have here,” Griffiths said.

Park officials had been weighing several ideas to connect the south side of the preserve across Harbor Road to the north side, including crosswalks, a bridge and the underpass. The latter, Griffiths said, was “the safest method for us to use.”

The preserve is a key attraction in Head of the Harbor and can draw up to 3,000 people a week, Griffiths said.

Michael Utevsky, the village's mayor, said during a recent board meeting: “It’s beautiful there. Avalon is a beautiful site, and they did a lovely job."

Mitch Pally, interim president and CEO of Discover Long Island, the region's tourism agency, said in a statement that the nature preserve is a “cherished gem.” Pally said it offers both locals and visitors “a peaceful retreat to connect with nature.”

“As one of Suffolk County’s many scenic green spaces, it plays an important role in attracting eco-conscious travelers and outdoor enthusiasts,” Pally said. The new underpass, he added, provides “continued access to this beautiful preserve for generations to come."

On Tuesday at the underpass — its walls featuring gray patterned stones and overhead security cameras — runners and hikers streamed through. Visitors told Newsday they were excited about the changes.

Paulina Morales and Cisco Hernandez, walking with their puppy, Tito, were among them. Hernandez, 26, said the two learned about the preserve through word-of-mouth and social media.

“We’ve started to walk around a few other places, but we came here because we thought it looked cool,” Hernandez said.

“It’s peaceful and quiet,” added Morales, of Bellport.

Julia and Bo Brandt, of Setauket, were taking their second walk along the Harbor Road underpass Tuesday. The pair enjoy hiking, said Bo Brandt, 35. He added that they were looking forward to reaching the waters of Stony Brook Harbor later in the day and again in the future.

“It’s a wonderful addition to the park and the neighborhood, so hopefully people will take care of it,” Brandt said.