Facilities

Hours of Operation

Please call the Department of Conservation and Waterways at 516-431-9200 for hours of operation.

Directions

From the Meadowbrook Parkway South, take the Loop Parkway exit M10 to Point Lookout. Follow to the end and then bear right onto Lido Boulevard Proceed 1/4 mile. The entrance to the Lido Beach Nature Area parking lot is on the right.

Overview

In July 2005, Hempstead Town completed the rehabilitation of a 40-acre Lido Beach site located along Lido Boulevard, now known as the Lido Beach Passive Nature Area. The development of this preserve included the removal of debris and replanting of indigenous plants in areas that have been damaged over the years, the creation of an earth berm to mitigate street noise into the area, and the construction of a scenic overlook area and parking lot. Subsequently, utilizing in-house staff, the town built a circular trail through the preserve area, a walkout to the bay, and constructed an elevated platform along the bay from which visitors can view nature's bounty. State grant monies also allowed the town to develop interpretive signage for the preserve.

The Lido Beach Passive Nature Area is a key component of a plan to restore more than 2,200 acres of tidal wetlands. This tidal wetland plays an important role in the protection of life within the Hempstead estuary system. Seventy-five percent of the property is a salt marsh, which is an essential element of the South Shore's ecosystem. The area supports a wide variety of grasses, vegetation, and marine life, including several species of fish and shellfish. The conservation area is also part of the Atlantic Flyway, where various species of waterfowl inhabit the marshes during their spring and fall migrations. In the winter months, a variety of waterfowl make use of the preserve as a wintering ground. During the spring and summer months, the property serves as a breeding ground to several endemic marsh birds including the Clapper Rail and Seaside Sparrow. This estuary area is a multi-faceted project focused on habitat restoration and preservation, as well as public education.