Kings Park Asylum Ruins & Sound Bluffs Traverse

Although I'm announcing this Long Island trip now, I won't have a final "go" until my transportation is confirmed on March 11th (AM). I apologize that the final word comes so close to the date, but I wanted to share the possibility as early as possible. Everyone is currently on the waiting list.

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 9:50 AM Port Jefferson Line train from Jamaica, arriving at Kings Park at 10:52 AM.
• Distance: Approximately 12–14 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.