Hallock State Park Preserve is a relatively new park, only just purchased in the early 2000’s. It was formed of over 200 acre’s of farmland, and is the home to some rare rock formations called hoodoo’s.
This year the park is getting much needed work done on it with a Visitors Center, parking lot and an entrance.
The visitor center and parking lot will allow for easy access for activities that will be allowed at the preserve, such as Kayaking, Snow Hiking, cross country skiing, surfing, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, horseback riding and picnicking.
“This will be great for the North Fork of Long Island; it really is a natural oasis, where you will also be able to do recreational activities,” said George Gorman, Long Island deputy regional director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The parking lot, construction of the visitors center and a hiking were originally part of the par’s master plan that was announced in 2008, just before the recent recession had triggered major budget cuts.
Goreman has said that work on the projects are expected to cost around $4.5 million, and will be funded by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s $900 million, 10-year program of capital improvements.
Work had originally started last February and is expected to be completed by the late spring or early summer.
In addition to the bluffs overlooking the Long Island Sound, The Hallock preserves notable features that are sure to bring the outdoorsmen in people out include a “rare coastal plain pool” and the “hoodoos”. According to the master plan, and other documents; both the coastal plain pool and hoodos are geological formations that are not often found in this part of the United States.
Hoodoos are defined by the National Park Service as “tall, skinny spires of rock” formed through erosion over thousands of years by water, ice and wind.
These unusual geological features are the main attraction to Utah’s own Bryce Canyon national Park and are also called “Fairy Chimneys,” “Earth Pyramids” and “tent Rocks”. The formations in Bryce Canyon differ in size, some being as tall as the average person, while other’s are much taller and range higher than a 10-story building.
The Hallock State Park Preserve also has a historic significance.
Two centuries ago, during the War of 182, local farmers had helped the American Revenue Cutter service defend its ship called the Eagle, when it was driven ashore by a trio of British Ships. The farmers had joined the American sailors and held off the British by using canons and rifles that were hauled up the bluff’s from the beach. However, according to the Hallockville Museum’s website they were defeated by the British and it was towed off to Plum Island where it stayed during the war.
Read more about the Master Plan for this park:
- Signed Adoption & Findings Statement (pdf)
- Cover & Notice of Completion (pdf)
- Acknowledgements & Table of Contents (pdf)
- Executive Summary (pdf)
- Chapter 1 Introduction (pdf)
- Chapter 2 Park Background (pdf)
- Chapter 2 Figures 1-3 (pdf)
- Chapter 3 Environmental Setting (pdf)
- Chapter 3 Figures 4-9 (pdf)
- Chapter 4 Chapter (pdf)
- Chapter 5 Analysis and Alternatives (pdf)
- Chapter 6 The Master Plan (pdf)
- Chapter 6 Figures 10-15 (pdf)
- Chapter 6 Master Plan Map (Large Format) (pdf)
- Chapter 7 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation (pdf)
- Chapter 8 Comments and Responses (pdf)
- References (pdf)
- Appendix A – Flora and Fauna of Hallock State Park Preserve (pdf)
- Appendix B – Bird Check List for Hallock State Park Preserve (pdf)
- Appendix C – Trail Standards and Guidelines for New York State Parks (pdf)
- 2015 Hallock Master Plan Amendment and EAF (pdf)