Avalon Park and Preserve, Long Island Pet Friendly Hike

Avalon Park and Preserve is located at 200 Harbor Road, Stony Brook NY. Avalon is founded by the Paul Simons foundation, honoring the life of Paul Simons, a local outdoor enthusiast who died at a young age. Paul Simons spirit and creative energy is kept alive in the natural world held within Avalon.

Avalon Park, the pond, labyrinth, and sculpture is 8 acres, while the preserve is 76 acres and is connected to the park through the “red” path which crosses Rhododendron Road.

Avalon is great because it is so versatile. It is kid friendly, dog friendly, runner friendly, and chillaxin friendly. It is a great park all year round, open from 8am-8pm.

There is parking along Harbor Road and Main Street alongside the Mill Pond. Many people walk over to the pond from the Stony Brook Village. There are tons of waterfowl to feed at the Mill Pond and even fishing. PLEASE do not feed the ducks white bread. Bread has no nutritional value to ducks. It fills them up and leaves no room in their stomach for healthy food. A poor diet can lead to “angel wing”, causing birds to lose the ability to fly. It also has an effect on ducklings learning to forage for healthy food on their own. When this bread is not eaten, it grows mold which is also unhealthy for the pond ecosystem. The Grist Mill next to Mill Pond sells healthy duck food, along with Fratelli’s Eatery in Stony Brook Village.

Stony Brook Mill Pond

Mill Pond marks the beginning of Avalon Park. Here you will find the entry gates and map. The Mill Pond fishing club has been around for 67 years. It is strictly catch and release. The club is responsible for stocking the pond with trout. Carp and large mouth bass also inhabit the Mill Pond.

Many people come to the pond for a picnic, or to feed the many ducks, geese and swans with their kids.

Avalon Park consists of board walk paths, a small bridge, crushed stone paths, paved paths, stone steps, and the labyrinth. There are benches along the way to stop and bathe in nature. The labyrinth is a beautiful place to pause and reflect.

Once you cross over Rhododendron Road the path takes you through the woods. You can follow the red trail (0.3 miles), green trail (1.0 mile), blue trail (0.8 miles), orange trail (1.1 miles) or yellow trail (2.2 miles). The once agricultural fields have been turned into wild flower and grass meadows. The Avalon Barn is located in the wildflower fields off of Shep Jones Lane. The barn runs several programs including yoga, a sky lab, meditation, and bird walks. Click HERE for the Avalon barn schedule.

The youth programs at Avalon are awesome. My son participated in the seedling program with Miss Sue who is amazing. You must register early for these classes because they fill up very quickly!

The pictures here are taken in May, early spring. Avalon Park and Preserve is beautiful during each and every season.

The best part is that its DOG FRIENDLY!!!

Here are some items that will make your walk through Avalon that much more enjoyable: