Setuaket, NY – Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay has introduced legislation to preserve the Setauket–Port Jefferson Station Greenway, a beloved 3.4-mile community trail connecting neighborhoods, schools, and local destinations in the Three Village and Port Jefferson Station area.

The bill, A10341, would authorize the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to grant a perpetual conservation easement over the Greenway corridor, ensuring the land remains protected as a non-vehicular, multi-modal trail for walking, biking, and passive recreation. The proposal would maintain DOT ownership of the property while allowing a designated steward, such as the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, a local municipality, or a qualified nonprofit organization, to safeguard the corridor’s conservation purposes.

Originally acquired by the state in the late 1950s for a proposed Route 25A bypass, the corridor has evolved over the decades into a widely used trail that serves thousands of residents each year. More than $7 million in public investment supported the development of the paved trail in the early 2000s, and the Greenway now provides a safe non-motorized transportation link between neighborhoods, schools, shopping areas, houses of worship, and nearby Long Island Rail Road stations.

“The Setauket–Port Jefferson Station Greenway has become an essential community asset,” said Assemblywoman Kassay. “For nearly two decades, families, commuters, students, and visitors have relied on this corridor for safe recreation and everyday mobility. My legislation simply aligns the legal status of this land with the way it is already being used and cherished by the community—ensuring it remains protected for generations to come.”

The legislation does not create a new facility or require new state spending. The trail infrastructure is already in place, and ongoing stewardship has been supported by local volunteers and community organizations like Friends of the Greenway and Three Village Community Trust which regularly organize cleanups and maintenance efforts.

In recent weeks, Assemblywoman Kassay has also begun discussions with state agencies to advance the proposal. In letters to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation and the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, she outlined the benefits of establishing a conservation easement and invited collaboration to ensure the long-term protection of the corridor while respecting agency responsibilities.

“The Greenway preserves tree canopy, supports local habitat, and provides a safe connection between communities,” Kassay said. “This effort reflects a broad regional commitment to protecting open space while maintaining a vital transportation and recreation resource.”

To build support for this effort to secure the long-term future of the Greenway, Assemblywoman Kassay is working with local residents, stakeholders, environmental organizations, and municipal partners including Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, Friends of the Greenway, Three Village Community Trust, Three Village Civic Association, Port Jefferson Civic Association, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association, Three Village Chamber of Commerce, and the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce.

Community members are invited to join Assemblywoman Kassay and local partners for a press conference at the Port Jefferson Station trailhead of the Greenway trail on Saturday, March 28 at 4:00 PM to highlight the preservation effort and demonstrate community support for protecting this important corridor. Additionally, Assemblywoman Kassay’s office is compiling community comments to assist in these preservation efforts and asks that residents submit their comment at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPecnsaj7jq2bpM4sxlvCxAxDnl9qUJNp1ujqpUJlQFltT7A/viewform.Residents are also welcomed to send comments via email to kassayr@nyassembly.gov, by phone at 631-751-3094, or by mail to 149 Main St, Setauket NY 11733.