Friends of Connetquot River State Park Preserve
The Friends of Connetquot is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, conservation and history of the 3,473-acre Connetquot River State Park Preserve. We work to help management protect a pristine environment and historic buildings and artifacts. We also support educational programs, fishing facilities and hiking and equestrian trails.
Volunteer with the Friends
Regular volunteer opportunities are always available to help the Friends at the Preserve!
Planter Maintenance and Watering
Pollinator Garden Maintenance and Watering
Hiking and Equestrian Trail Maintenance
River Work – Platform Repair and Diverters
Clubhouse Deck Refurbishment
Creation of a Native Species Pathway
Perimeter Fence Trash Pick-up
Invasive Removal
Clubhouse Tour Guide
...and more!
Holiday Decorating of the Clubhouse
Sunday, December 10, 2023 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Please join the Friends of Connetquot
as We Decorate the Clubhouse for the Holidays!
Refreshments will be served.
Orvis Partners with Friends of Connetquot AGAIN!
The Fall 2023 Great Giveback Days Program
Friends of Connetquot are delighted and excited to be selected again to be partnering with Orvis for the September Great Giveback Days Program. This spring, we received over $2,000! All money raised will be go towards everything "fishing"; Nets, waders, additional rods and reels, lumber for site repairs or the nursery project or anything that's needed!
Pick up a Giving Card from the Connetquot Administration Building and then bring the card to the Orvis Store located in Garden City during the month of September. Donate $10 to Friends of Connetquot through the program and as a thank you, you'll get 10% off your total purchase that day. The holidays are right around the corner! If you are thinking about purchasing a new reel or rod, 10% is a nice savings!
Pictured above holding the BIG CHECK – Orvis Store Manager Fred Versaci, FOC Director Carole Scaildone, FOC President Janet Soley and Orvis Fishing Manager Chris Vlacich. Photo by Tom Scaildone.
President's Letter, FOC Newsletter, Summer 2023
The President's Letter for Summer 2023 has been released:
Summer is upon us. Connetquot Preserve slows down as the temperature heats up. When the Preserve becomes less hectic, I can find the time to walk the trails less traveled. It is on these walks that I become mindful of my surroundings. What is mindfulness? It’s the transformative power of being fully present in the moment, allowing yourself to delve into a state of calm, focused awareness, disconnecting from the digital world and engaging in the sense of interconnectedness with the world around you. On my mindful walks, I enjoy the beauty of the environment and the connection with the present moment.
Please visit the President's Letter page to read the full letter.
FOC Scholarship Awards
This
year’s Friends of Connetquot scholarship winners
were announced on Sunday, June 11, during Living
History Day at the Sayville Grange.
Our scholarship winner is Nicolle Perea from Central Islip High School. Nicolle was awarded our $1,000 scholarship. Nicolle completed 20 hours, 35 minutes of volunteer work at the Park Preserve, including helping with: holiday decorating, the Luna Walk, Family Game Night, club house cleaning (twice) Tiny Tots, Snowflake, and Lee Krasner Art.
Our runner-up, Sarah Vasquez, is from East Islip High School. She was awarded a $200 Visa gift card. Sarah completed 14 hours, 20 minutes of volunteer work on programs at Connetquot, including helping with the Haunted House, Railroad Lecture, Holiday Decorating, History Project.
These young women embody leadership characteristics of determination, commitment, competence, as well as empathy and vision. Both intend to continue their service to others in their future occupations.
L. to R.: FOC President Janet Soley, Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Nicolle Perea, Janice Fischer, Sarah Vasquez and Islip Town Historian George Munkenbeck. Photo taken by Daniel Goodrich
STQRY Audio Walking Tour!
Did you know you can take a walking audio tour of Connetquot River State Park Preserve using your own cell phone? Thanks to STQRY and the Friends of Connetquot, you can learn about the history behind the landmarks of the park such as Mile Marker "50", the various bridges along the trails, the Ice House, Hatchery and more! Plus, you can find out what to look for as you walk the trails of the park. It's a whole new way to see Connetquot even if you've been here hundreds of times or you’re hundreds of miles away!
Simply download the map here or get one at the entrance booth as you come in to the park. Start your tour at the Welcome Kiosk in the parking lot. Scan the QR code with your smartphone for pictures and audio or call 631-703-3313 and enter number 1 to begin the tour. Look for more signs throughout the Preserve. Snap the QR or enter the number on the marker and you'll be treated to a short summary of what you're looking at and what to look for.