Aquebogue, NY

Broad Cove Preserve

Acreage

99.4

Things to do

Hiking, Birdwatching, Nature Study, Paddling

Access

Public

Address

Overlook Dr, Aquebogue, NY 11931, USA

About

This nearly 100-acre waterfront parcel on Flanders Bay was purchased by the Trust on December 31, 2021. For decades a top conservation priority on the East End, a key step has been made toward the permanent protection of this environmentally sensitive parcel in the Peconic Bay Estuary. This property includes 25 acres of tidal wetlands and 8,000 feet of shoreline on Terry Creek and Broad Cove in Flanders Bay. The former duck farm, located near the Bell Town Cultural Heritage Area, will eventually be available for recreation, while also providing climate change resiliency, wildlife habitat, and water quality protection in this part of the Peconic Bay Estuary.

Sites

Broad Cove had been sought after by conservationists and developers alike for many years. Zoned for a high impact, mixed-use resort, the owner, Walo, LLC, accepted an offer from a developer in late 2020 and a contract was under review. Fortunately, when Andreas Weisz, managing partner of Walo, LLC, learned that the Peconic Land Trust was prepared to make an offer as well, he agreed to hold off in hopes that the property could be conserved instead.

The Trust was able to purchase the land with funds from six lines of credit provided by Trust supporters totaling $11.5 million for the purchase and $500,000 for carrying costs.

“We’re thankful to the owner for working with us to conserve this incredible property,” said John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust. “We also thank our supporters for stepping up at this time to loan the Trust the funds necessary to complete the acquisition quickly. By acting when we did, we were able to secure the conservation that has alluded this property for so long.”

Funding for Infrastructure and Restoration

The Peconic Land Trust’s stewardship team is working diligently to improve access to the Broad Cove preserve. In July, the trails were officially opened to the public, with a new parking area opened and signage installed.

We are thankful to our supporters for their gifts toward the preserve’s care. We are also thankful to a number of organizations and government agencies for their support of the preserve, including the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Peconic Estuary Partnership for their support for infrastructure improvements at the preserve, including the parking area, trails, signage and habitat improvements along the trails. Additional funding for habitat and trails has also been provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Long Island Community Foundation and from a number of private foundations.

Broad Cove is the site of the former Broad Cove Duck Farm

Founded in the 1930s, Broad Cove Farm was one of more than 90 duck farms on Long Island at the peak of duck farming in the 1950s.

From the late 1930s until the late 1970s, Broad Cove Duck Farm founder, Joseph P. Celic, Sr., was a leader in the region. His most notable role was organizing the Riverhead Duck Processing Cooperative in the mid-1950s.

Susan Holden, current Orient resident and granddaughter of Joseph P. Celic Sr., speaking on behalf of the Celic family said “Our family is so delighted that the Peconic Land Trust has saved this very special piece of waterfront property from development. We look forward to supporting its restoration and supplying the Trust with historical information of its time as one of the largest producers of famous Long Island duckling.”

Learn more about the history of Broad Cove on our blog.

We are working to provide bilingual (English | Spanish) access to our preserves and website. A Spanish version of the welcome Kiosk can be found here. (Una Versión en Español del Kiosk se puede ver aquí).

Visitor Information

You can access the preserve off Overlook Drive in Aquebogue, near the railroad crossing next to Edgar Avenue and Meeting House Creek Road (764 Hubbard Avenue, Aquebogue, NY).

Although the Preserve is open, the site plan has not been fully implemented. Expect tall grass and rough terrain in many areas. Please use tick and insect repellent and avoid tall grasses. We expect ongoing maintenance and trail building to continue over the next few years.