Wilson’s Grove Preserve
About
The beautiful and majestic white pine and oak forest of Wilson's Grove Preserve, donated to the Trust by Marillyn Wilson in 2008, is a wonderful gift to the community and a vital link in the Paumanok Preserve system of trails that runs through Southampton and East Hampton towns to the Montauk Lighthouse. The Preserve also includes Ms. Wilson’s architecturally distinctive home and woodland gardens.
In February 2008, Marillyn Wilson made an extraordinary gift to the Peconic Land Trust with the donation of Wilson’s Grove, approximately 45 acres of woodland including her architecturally distinctive home.
The donation was the latest in a long-running relationship between the Trust and Ms. Wilson, which began with her friendship with John Halsey in the early years of the Trust, followed closely by her encouragement and generous support of the Trust’s conservation efforts. In June 2002, she donated a conservation easement on her property to the Trust. See the Peconic Land Trust newsletter, Fall 2002.
A native of Michigan, Ms. Wilson was living in New York City with her husband and had come to East Hampton to visit city friends in the ‘60s. A week’s visit had them pushing off the shore and driving the roads north of the highway where they discovered “all these lovely wild lands, reminiscent of Northern Michigan.”
“We will be forever grateful to Marillyn, not simply for her gift of this incredible property but also for her friendship and long-standing support of the Trust and its mission,” said John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust. “Marillyn’s property, Wilson’s Grove, is clearly one of the most unique properties on the East End. And her love of that property and her willingness to share it with the public speaks volumes about her humanity.”
Visitor Information
Trails traverse the property and the easement allows for pedestrian use of the trails by the public. The site contains a locally rare woodland comprised of majestic white pine and oak.
Admission: Free
Hours: The preserve is accessible during daylight hours.
Directions: The trail-head for Wilson’s Grove can be found in the Northwest Woods section of East Hampton on Old Northwest Road, just south of the intersection with Northwest Road. The kiosk is on the west side of the road.
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Wilson's Grove Preserve
Intersection of Old Northwest Road and Northwest Road, East Hampton, NY 11937
Things To Do
Hiking
Birdwatching
Photography
Nature Study
Biking
Get Involved
Interested in honoring a loved one or commemorating a milestone? Support our Memorials at Preserves program and deepen your connection to this special place.
