Patriots Preserve

Patriots Preserve is a 100-acre Town of Brookhaven park in Shirley, built on the former Links Golf Course and opened in 2023. Two connected loop trails, one a little over a mile and one a little under, follow paved, extra-wide paths with well-kept grass alongside. The park is mostly flat, so it is an easy walk with a stroller or a wheelchair. At the center is a lake with a floating bridge, a good spot for watching ducks and turtles, and the mix of grassland and woods around it draws plenty of birds. There is a large playground, a shaded picnic area and a kayak launch. The park is free and open every day from dawn to dusk.

• Town of Brookhaven: Grand Opening of Patriots Preserve
• Long Island Pine Barrens Society: July 2024, Patriots Preserve Park