Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation in and Near Massapequa, NY
When people ask me what Massapequa is like, the outdoors comes up fast.
The Massapequa Preserve runs through the middle of the area. There are Town and Village parks, a paved bikeway, a long-distance hiking trail, boat launches on the Great South Bay and a Town beach on Ocean Parkway. I live in Massapequa Park, and I use a lot of this myself.
Fitness has been part of my life for decades, which is where #RippedRealtor comes from. To me, a place with real outdoor space to run, ride, walk and get on the water is a big part of what makes an area worth living in.
This guide covers the main parks, trails, beaches and boating options in and around Massapequa, based on the Town, Village and trail organizations that actually manage them.
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Who Runs What Around Massapequa?
It helps to know who manages what, because rules, hours and fees depend on it.
The Massapequa Preserve is a Nassau County park. John J. Burns Park, Marjorie R. Post Community Park, and TOBAY Beach are run by the Town of Oyster Bay. Brady Park, Mansfield Park and Colleran Park belong to the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park. The trails are run by several groups, which I cover below.
Schmitt Massapequa Preserve
The Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve is a roughly 423-acre linear preserve operated by the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums.
It runs from Merrick Road on the south to Linden Street on the north. Ocean Avenue and Parkside Boulevard form its western side, and Lake Shore Drive runs along its eastern side.
The Preserve is divided into three sections. The southernmost section includes Massapequa Lake and has the most varied ecology of the three. For someone who wants woods, water and trails without leaving the neighborhood, there is nothing else in Nassau County quite like it.
Bethpage Bikeway
The Bethpage Bikeway is a fully paved, traffic-free path for biking, jogging and walking. The southern trailhead is at Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue in Massapequa, at the Preserve.
From there it continues north toward Bethpage State Park and on to a trailhead at Sunnyside Boulevard in Woodbury, about 13 miles in all. Along the way it passes through Massapequa Preserve, Bethpage State Park and Trail View State Park.
If you want a paved route for running or cycling that starts right here and keeps going, this is it.
Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail
This one gets confused with the bikeway, and they are not the same trail.
The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is a separate hiking trail of roughly 20 miles, maintained by the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference and designated a National Recreation Trail. It begins in the Massapequa Preserve and continues north across Long Island to Cold Spring Harbor. Along the route it passes through Trail View State Park and the Stillwell Woods area.
So the bikeway is the paved route, and the Greenbelt Trail is the dirt hiking route. Someone entering the trail system in Massapequa is connecting to a recreational corridor that extends far beyond Massapequa itself.
John J. Burns Park
John J. Burns Park is a 52-acre Town of Oyster Bay park at 4990 Merrick Road, on the Great South Bay.
It has ball fields, tennis and handball courts, playgrounds, and a paved shared-use path that loops around the park for about six-tenths of a mile with views of the fields and the bay. Walking the loop twice works out to a little over a mile.
My local perspective: My son plays baseball at Burns Park twice a week, so I spend a lot of evenings here. During warm-ups or slower parts of a game, I'll take a walk on the paved path. It's an easy way to keep moving, and the timing of our October visits often brings a beautiful sunset over the canal. I enjoy the ball fields, but those peaceful views of the water are another reason I appreciate this park. I share more of that experience in my Move With John adventure journal.
It is also where Town boat ramps and kayak launching are, which I cover in the boating section below.
Marjorie R. Post Community Park
Marjorie R. Post Community Park is a 42.5-acre Town park at Unqua and Merrick Roads.
The Village of Massapequa Park's website describes a pool complex, tennis and handball courts, a picnic area, a community room and an ice skating rink. Pool access and fees vary, so check with the Town before you go.
TOBAY Beach & Marina
TOBAY Beach & Marina is the Town of Oyster Bay's beach on Ocean Parkway, next to Jones Beach.
The Town lists both ocean and bayside beaches, a transient marina, a spray park, playgrounds and restaurants.
Access to Town beaches works by permit and fee. The Town's beach sticker rules for residents are on its Beaches & Boating page, and they change, so confirm current rules and rates with the Town before you go.
Boating, Kayaking and Fishing
This is a big part of why people live here.
The Town operates boat and kayak launching ramps at John J. Burns Park. The Town also lists Alhambra Park, John J. Burns Park and TOBAY Beach as Massapequa access points for the South Shore Blueway Trail, a network of water access points for human-powered boats. TOBAY Beach is a landing spot only, with no launching.
For fishing, the Village of Massapequa Park notes that local streams offer fishing and that state DEC licenses are available through Village Hall.
If living near the water is part of what you are looking for, my Massapequa waterfront guide covers the waterfront communities in more detail.
Village of Massapequa Park Parks
The Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park runs three parks of its own. Check the Village parks page for current details.
Brady Park is at Lake Shore Drive and Front Street. The Village calls it its most active park. It has a Little League field, a playground, and basketball, bocce, pickleball and horseshoe courts, plus the Community Center. Picnic areas overlook the lake in the adjoining Preserve.
Mansfield Park is at Walker Street, west of Lake Shore Drive. The bike and jogging path runs through it, along with a stream.
Colleran Park is at the end of Whitewood Drive, at the southern tip of the Village in Bar Harbour.
The Village says its parks close at 8 p.m.
Hours, Fees and Permits Change
Park hours, beach fees, pool access and boat ramp rules are set by the Town, County and Village, and they change from season to season. Confirm with the managing agency before you plan around any of them.
Staying Active Indoors Too
Not every workout happens outside. If you want the gym side of the picture, I cover it in my Massapequa Gyms & Fitness Guide.
Thinking About Moving to Massapequa?
If getting outdoors matters to you, proximity to the Preserve, the trails, the parks and the water is worth weighing alongside the house itself.
You can view current Massapequa homes for sale or Massapequa Park homes for sale. For the full picture of the area, start with my Massapequa local guide.
School district boundaries vary by address in this part of Nassau County, so verify the district for any specific property.
Already Own a Home in Massapequa?
If you already live here, you may be more interested in what your home is worth or what the selling process looks like in today's market.
Start with my Massapequa Home Value resource.
If a move may be in your future, my Selling a Home in Massapequa guide covers pricing, preparation, marketing, offers and what to expect from listing through closing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massapequa Parks and Trails
How big is the Massapequa Preserve?
The Town of Oyster Bay describes the Schmitt Massapequa Preserve as a 423-acre linear preserve operated by Nassau County. Some other sources list a slightly different acreage.
Is the Bethpage Bikeway the same as the Greenbelt Trail?
No. The Bethpage Bikeway is a paved bike and jogging path. The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is a separate dirt hiking trail that starts in the Massapequa Preserve and runs north to Cold Spring Harbor.
Where does the Bethpage Bikeway start in Massapequa?
The southern trailhead is at Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue, at the Massapequa Preserve. The path continues north toward Bethpage State Park.
Where can you launch a boat or kayak in Massapequa?
The Town of Oyster Bay operates boat ramps and kayak launching at John J. Burns Park on Merrick Road. Check with the Town for current rules and fees.
Is there a beach in Massapequa?
TOBAY Beach & Marina on Ocean Parkway is operated by the Town of Oyster Bay and has ocean and bayside beaches. Access requires a permit or fee, so check the Town's rules.
What parks are in Massapequa Park?
The Village of Massapequa Park runs Brady Park, Mansfield Park and Colleran Park.
Do all addresses in Massapequa use the same school district?
No. The broader Massapequa area includes properties in more than one school district, so verify the district for any specific property.
Where can I find homes for sale in Massapequa?
You can view current Massapequa homes for sale and compare available properties with the lifestyle features that matter to you.
What Should I Add to My Massapequa Outdoor Guide?
I want this guide to reflect the area the way people who actually live here experience it.
If I missed a park, trail, fishing spot, boat launch, running route or community event that belongs here, please let me know. I would rather build this from real local knowledge than from a generic list.
John Cordeira
Broker/Owner, Cordeira Homes
#RippedRealtor