Shore Road Sanctuary

Shore Road Sanctuary is an 8-acre protected grassland preserve in Cold Spring Harbor with a fascinating transformation story. Once an ExxonMobil fueling site, this former industrial property has been beautifully remediated and restored into a thriving natural habitat. The sanctuary features a scenic shoreline, salt marsh, wet meadow, and native grassland that provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation and nature education. Families visiting Shore Road Sanctuary can expect to see a diverse array of wildlife and plants including horseshoe crabs nesting on the beach, great egrets, tree swallows, killdeer, fiddler crabs, sea lavender, prickly pear cactus, and native warm-season grasses. The property includes walking trails, a pollinator garden added in 2015, and serves as an educational destination for students and families interested in learning about Long Island's coastal ecosystems and wetland habitats. The sanctuary is a field trip location for the North Shore Land Alliance's Long Island Water Education Program, making it an ideal spot for families seeking environmental education. Shore Road Sanctuary offers free access with on-site parking available, making it easily accessible for a family outing. No specific admission fees or operating hours are listed on the website, suggesting the preserve may have open access during daylight hours.