Massapequa Preserve’s plant life is one of the reasons a walk here feels so different from the surrounding streets. Trees shade the paths, ferns fill some of the wooded areas and wetland plants grow around the water.
Wetland plants and habitats
Nassau County identifies freshwater swamps, marsh, stream, lake and sandy-bog habitat in the southern section of the preserve. The county also lists orchids, carnivorous sundews and bladderworts among its rare and endangered Long Island plants.
Ferns and woodland scenery
One of our favorite observations is a section on the western side filled with ferns. The variety of vegetation makes even a familiar route worth revisiting as the seasons change.
Explore without disturbing the plants
Enjoy the vegetation from established paths and leave plants where they grow. See our trail guide for walking routes and directions guide for access. For the official habitat description, visit Nassau County’s preserve page.