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Community Corner

No. 97: Hike in Welwyn Preserve

Spend the day surrounded by some of Glen Cove's most natural scenery.

As spring nears, and the sun gradually begins to warm the city, what better way to enjoy the weather than to hike at one of Glen Cove's most picturesque preserves.

Once the home of Harold Irving Pratt – son of oil magnate and philanthropist Charles Pratt of the late 1800s – Welwyn estate includes a Georgian-style mansion, a former recreation building now used by the Nassau County Holocaust Committee and several smaller service buildings.

The 300 plus acres are filled with hiking trails and natural scenery. Several trails lead you down to the beach where you can walk along the shore, sit on a bench overlooking the Long Island Sound or walk out on the jetty to a gazebo at the end and enjoy a picnic.

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As the North Shore of Long Island has attracted many wealthy landowners who wanted to add their own touches to the native trees and shrubs on their properties, the Pratt family enlisted members of the Olmsted family – whose famous patriarch, Frederick Law Olmsted, designed Central Park – to add shrubs and trees to the estate. At Welwyn, you'll find Tulips, Red Oak, Black Oak, Beech, Birch, Sassafras, White Oak, and White Ash throughout the preserve.

During the summer months, you’ll find lush greenery and wild raspberry plants, ripe for the picking. There are some old building remains — most are old greenhouses, now just metal frames and overgrown shrubbery – but several are still enclosed with glass. 

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The main trails are maintained and easy to walk. The paved trail can be used by bikers or parents with strollers; the path is to the left of the mansion and is a straight walk down hill to the beach.

Be sure to check out the formal garden as you make your way down. You can expect to see plenty of butterflies, old statues and fountains; but the real fun is getting lost on some of the trails behind and to the right of the mansion – these trails are more rugged and full of wildlife, fields and streams.  

Over 100 species of birds and a variety of small native mammals, reptiles, and amphibians call Welywn home. 

Come back next Tuesday at noon for suggestion #96Click  if you missed previous posts.

Category: Parks, Preserves
Price: Free
Season: Year-round

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