Calendar of Events
Upcoming Friends of Connetquot Events
We're always looking for new programs to offer you. Please check back, follow us on social media or, for timely updates, sign-up for our email list.
Fishing With a Friend
Monday, March 30th, 2026 - Two Sessions - 9:00am & 12:00pm
Club-style fly fishing for FOC Members ONLY!
What's club style? There's no assigned beat! Walk the river from beat 1 to 30 and back again! This is a wonderful opportunity to try a site you've wondered about but didn't want to commit to! Two sessions are available for a maximum of 25 spots per session. $30 for a single session.
Friends of Connetquot's Members Meeting & Open House
Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 12:00 pm
Come meet the Board. Learn what’s happening at Connetquot. Sign up to volunteer. Take a tour of the grounds or hike and tour the Hatchery.
I Love My Park Day
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Beautification, clean up, and conservation projects are planned in Parks all across New York State. Show your love for Connetquot River State Park Preserve by joining a volunteer team to make this wonderful park even better.
Purple Martins - North America’s Largest Swallows
Saturday, June 13, 2026 - 1:00pm
Did you know, Connetquot Preserve is home to a colony of Purple Martins? Purple Martins are beautiful, graceful flyers that live in colonies, depend on man-made housing and feed exclusively on flying insects. Martins overwinter in the Amazon Basin and start their spring migration into North America around the end of January, showing up in Florida in early February. Depending on weather and food supply the first Purple Martins, called scouts, arrive on Long Island around the first week of April to start their breeding season. Most Martins in this area start heading back south by the beginning of August.
Enjoy Ranger Ken’s presentation on Purple Martins and then he will lead a hike into the field for observations!
Pride Lantern Walk
Friday, June 26th - 7:30 – 9:30pm
Have you ever wanted to explore the park after dark? Now is your chance. Head to Connetquot for our popular lantern walk with a Pride Month twist! The ambiance will be enhanced with rainbow lanterns!
The History of the South Side Sportsmen’s Club & Islip Township
Sunday, June 28, 2026 - 1:00pm
Do you know the rich history of the Clubhouse? How it all began at the Nicolls Grist Mill and the Snedecor Tavern? Do you know the names of the many famous people who have visited Connetquot?
Come learn the amazing history of this unique 3.473 acre preserve and it’s role in the formation of the Town of Islip.
Presented by Islip Town Historian George Munkenbeck and FOC's Historian Ed Gross
Upcoming Park Nature Programs
Please be sure to visit the Connetquot River State Park Preserve Events page at the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website for a schedule of all events.