Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

August 19, 2010

Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518-486-1868

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve Master Plan Adopted

Plan aims to preserve one of Long Island's great pieces of open space

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation adopted a master plan for Caumsett State Historic Park to preserve the natural and historic character of one of the few remaining large open spaces in the region. The plan designates the facility a state park preserve, making its official name Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve.

"A visit to the Gold Coast estate, farm buildings and scenic peninsula within Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is like stepping back in time, and the master plan will help preserve this significant part of Long Island's natural and cultural heritage," State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash said. "I am thankful to the Caumsett supporters who attended the public meetings or offered input on the plan. Their thoughts and comments made the master plan better, more complete and more reflective of the community."

"The Caumsett Foundation is delighted by the adoption of the Master Plan which sets forth a vision for the park preserve that we fully share. We are very impressed by the breadth of skills brought by State Parks to the planning process, in which we were privileged to participate, and look forward to helping implement the plan," Henry Babcock, President of The Caumsett Foundation, said.

The master plan outlines OPRHP's vision for potential capital improvements, operational enhancements and natural and cultural resource stewardship within Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve for the next ten to fifteen years. Key features of the plan include:

• Designating Caumsett a state park preserve in recognition of both the surviving features of Marshall Field III's estate as well as the unique ecological communities that make up the 1,550-acre tract on the Long Island Sound;
• Implementing strong natural resource protection practices, including invasive species control and appropriate management of the low salt marsh, maritime beach, freshwater pond and other varied areas of the park; and
• Improving visitor access to the park with a new Visitor Center in the Farm Group buildings, improved trails, new comfort stations, improved vehicular access and a car-top boat launch to the Sound.

Factors such as the availability of funding, the need to invest in rehabilitation of existing park infrastructure, and other pressing needs in the entire state parks system will influence the sequence and timing of the improvements. The plan is available at http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/inside-our-agency/public-documents.aspx.

State Parks has reinstated the master planning process throughout the park system. Park master plans define a long-term, sustainable vision for parks by helping to identify best uses for a specific site, make the most of limited resources, and protect the environment.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation operates 178 state parks and 35 historic sites, which host 56 million visitors a year. More information is available by visiting www.nysparks.com, connecting on Facebook, or following us on Twitter.