Shorewalkers: Members Only Group

It’s set for next Wednesday. I’ll only be able to confirm by Saturday, and then I’ll start moving people from the waitlist to “Going.”

Distance: 10–11 miles (loop)
Pace & Difficulty: Moderate to brisk pace. Some uneven terrain in marsh sections may be muddy. Not suitable for slow walkers.
Drop-out option: None (full loop)

Join us for a scenic ~10–11 mile loop starting from Woodbridge, linking waterfront paths, quiet residential edges, and hidden green corridors that don’t usually connect into one continuous walk.
We’ll head toward Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park, walking along tidal marshlands and open water views across the Arthur Kill toward Staten Island. The route continues along the shoreline past Boynton Beach, through coastal park edges and light industrial stretches, before looping back inland via Heards Brook Park, following wooded paths and older drainage corridors back into the town grid.

MEET:
We will start promptly at 11:31 AM from Woodbridge station.
From NYC by train: Take the 10:43 AM NJ Transit train from Penn Station → arrive Woodbridge at 11:31 AM.
Return trains to NYC: Approx. 3:38 PM, 4:33 PM (and later options available)
** Suggest to bring: Water, snacks, lunch.

This is an exploratory trek linking Nissequogue River and Sunken Meadow State Parks through historic institutional grounds and coastal bluffs. The pace is fast with significant climbing; it is not suitable for slow walkers.

• Meeting Point: Kings Park Station.
• Transportation: Take the 8:56 AM Port Jefferson Line train from Jamaica, arriving at Kings Park at 10:10 AM.
• Distance: Approximately 11–12 miles

Historical Perspective: "Then and Now"

• The Past: Established in 1885, the Kings Park Psychiatric Center was once a self-sufficient "city within a city," housing nearly 10,000 patients at its peak in the 1950s. Its massive footprint included its own power plant, fire department, and railroad spur—the very tracks and service roads we will be navigating.
• The Present: Since its closure in 1996, the grounds have transitioned into a hauntingly beautiful state park. Nature is slowly reclaiming the historic masonry and grand institutional structures, creating a unique landscape for urban exploration and terrain reading.

Note: Expect variable terrain (pavement, sand, meadows) and wind exposure along the Long Island Sound. Bring plenty of water and prepare for a route-adjusting day of exploration.

This will be a guided tour (with much commentary) which will encompass the military history (1783-1966) of Governors Island with an emphasis on the impact of World War I on the Island. After the United States entered the conflict in April of 1917, Governors Island quickly transformed into the major embarkation point for American troops and materiel going to France.

Take the 10:30 am Governors Island Ferry from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street). You can book the Ferry online or at the BMB (check the Governors Island website for complete information). We will gather at the Governors Island Welcome Center see the map on the event page for location.

At the conclusion of the tour, you can stay to enjoy the Island. Strongly advise booking your tickets online and arriving at the BMB by 10:10 am to wait for the 10:30 am Ferry.

Restrooms are available at the Battery Maritime Building (New York) and inside the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Art Center to the right as you exit the Ferry at Soissons Landing.

Owning to the Group Guided Tour nature of this event, I will limit the number of attendees to fifteen (15) people. When you sign up, you will be placed on the Waiting List. Attendees will be manually moved from the Waiting List to the Going List.

Will be walking at a moderate (not slow) pace. The walk will last close to three hours and will cover about 4 miles. There will be ample restrooms stops.

Heavy rain/snow or other forms of extreme weather will cancel the walk. Please check this site for updates.

LEADER: Bob Lazzaro email: rlazzaro4@aol.com
Please direct all questions concerning the walk to my email address above, I will endeavor to answer all of them.

I will use a voice amplification device to foster better understanding and clarity between myself and attendees.