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Recreational
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Buckley Road
Holtsville, N.Y. 11742
(631) 758-9664, phone
(631) 758-9536, fax

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  


Wildlife & Ecology Center


Wildlife & Ecology CenterThe Town of Brookhaven Ecology Site, Park & Animal Preserve is located on a reclaimed landfill. Since 1974, when the landfill closed, the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department employees had worked to revegetate the hills filled with garbage and to build a modern recreational and educational facility.

Some of the amenities at the Holtsville Park include: a triple pool complex; exercise-trail fitness course; nature preserve and ecology center, featuring mountain lions, eagles; ecology exhibits and tours; free compost; greenhouses; picnic area. Zoo (free admission) is open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., seven days a week. Park opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at dusk. For Ecology Center, call 758-9664.

TOURS

  • Free guided tours are available to schools, grades 1 and up, Scout troops camps, and other organized groups.
  • Suggested donation of $2.00 Per-Child.
  • Nursery schools and Kindergartners are given a self-guided booklet and tour on their own on specified days.
  • Scheduled tours are available Monday through Friday, year-round.
  • Advance scheduling is necessary. Call 758-9664 ext. 13.
  • A self-guided tour booklet is also available upon request.

ANIMAL PRESERVE

  • Over 100 injured or non-releasable wild animals and farm animals for viewing.
    Handicapped accessible
  • Open 7 days a week, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., except New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • When inclement weather, call 758-9664 ext. 10.
  • Feed machines for the goats and ducks are available for 25 cents a handful.
  • No outside food is permitted to feed the animals, due to their careful diet.
  • We DON'T accept injured animals, since we don't have a veterinarian on staff.

GREENHOUSES

  • View the many types of plants grown
  • Seasonal plants are grown for Town offices, park grounds, civic and senior citizen groups.
    None of the plants are for sale.
  • Picture taking area available to wedding parties and families, especially at holiday times, call 758-9664 ext. 10 to schedule.

MEETING ROOM

  • Available to organized civic and youth groups, free of charge. Call 758-9664 ext. 10 to schedule.

GARDEN PARCELS

  • 10' X 10' parcels are available to residents to grow vegetables and flowers.
    Call to check availability, and to reserve a parcel, 758-9664 ext. 10.
  • Seeds, plant fertilizer, garden tools, hoses etc. must be provided by the resident.
  • Spigot for watering is available.

JOG AND EXERCISE

  • A 1.2 miles paved loop circles the site with an exertrail fitness course. The jogging loop can be used free of charge year-round, weather permitting, for jogging, walking, in-line skating, and bicycling.

SWIM, PICNIC AND PLAY

  • Three swimming pools, picnic areas and a playground provide all day recreation. Pools are open during the summer only, and there is an admission fee. Picnicking and playground areas are available as weather permits.

FREE COMPOST AND WOOD CHIPS

  • Residents' leaves are recycled into leaf compost, turning a waste product into a useful gardening additive. Bring your own buckets and a shovel. There is a four- (4) garbage can limit. Leaf compost is available year-round for use in home flowerbeds, vegetable gardens and soil mixes. Wood chips are also available.

EAGLE SCOUT AND G.S. GOLD AWARD PROJECTS

  • Projects available upon request, call 758-9664 ext. 13
  • Technical help is available for projects done elsewhere

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • Groundhog Day - February 2nd, 7:00am 
  • Annual Home and Garden Show - TBA
  • Halloween Happening for children under 12, date TBA
  • Menorah Lighting

WILDLIFE - PROBLEMS AND INJURIES

  • Remember if you can't catch it, it doesn't need your help!
  • We DON'T accept injured animals, since we don't have a veterinarian on staff.
  • Injured, wild animals, if caught, can be brought to local veterinarians that will treat them for free. Call first to see if they treat that type of animal.
  • STAR (Save the Animals Rescue) Foundation runs a rehab center, supplies information and has a list of wildlife rehabilitators in your area, call 736-8207.
  • For nuisance wildlife problems, call a wildlife trapper, listed in the yellow pages.
  • We DO NOT accept farm animals or pets.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy all aspects of the park. Please remember to stay on trails, follow signs, and try to remain quiet in the animal preserve, for your safety and the safety of all the animals that live here. Many of our animals are nocturnal, and therefore sometimes sleep during the day. Please be patient if they are not in full view and awake during your visit. Morning or afternoon feeding times are generally a good time to spot most animals.

EDUCATION

PEE WEE GARDEN AND CRAFT CLASS (ages 3-5)
Hands-on program, children will learn gardening skills, plants we eat and discuss the environment.
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: Harold Malkmes Wildlife Education and Ecology Center at Holtsville
SUGGESTED DONATION: $30.00, to cover cost of supplies--6 week session
 (Adult must accompany child)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Call 758-9664 ext. 10

HORTICULTURE CLASS (ADULTS)
Learn A-Z about plants. Floral arranging, plant propagation, etc.
TIME: TBA DATE: TBA
SUGGESTED DONATION: $30.00 per person for supplies (6 week session)
LOCATION: Harold Malkmes Wildlife Education and Ecology Center at Holtsville
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Call 758-9664
 
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