Footprint Media

Footprint Media Inc. is a full-service media company specializing in strategy, design and development of efficient, sustainable custom publishing and marketing solutions who create smart and sustainable custom solutions.

Vision Long Island has teamed up with Footprint Media to create a dynamic and current presence on social networks around the web. Stay tuned as we expand our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

For more information, contact them at 631-351-6480 or by emailing publishers@canvasli.com.

Become a Supporter of Smart Growth

Vision Long Island prides itself on having a broad range of supporters.  Become one today. A donation as small as $50 buys outreach materials to help a community build support for their vision. $500 sponsors an entire newsletter.  $5,000 makes you a lead sponsor of our Smart Growth Summit, buying 10 tickets and a key branding opportunity for your organization.
 
Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to Vision and lets you help strengthen efforts to put Smart Growth principles into action.

Full Text of Federal Transportation Bill Released

U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has released the full text of the federal transportation bill.  The 775-page "Surface Transportation Act of 2009" lays out how our transportation system will look in for the next six years. 

The bill proposes the following numbers.  $450 billion will be spent, of which $337.4 billion will be for the highway program, $99.8 billion for public transportation, and $12.6 billion for highway and motor carrier safety.  The bill also proposes $50 billion for a Metropolitan Mobility and Access Program and $25 billion for Projects of National Significance, but it's left unanswered where these additional funds will come from.  Beyond these numbers is what this bill is actually accomplishing. 

The Surface Transportation Act focuses on simpler, more streamlined programs, eliminating or consolidating 75 of 108 existing federal programs into four core areas:  Repair & Investment, Highway Safety, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and the Surface Transportation Program (STP). The bill also calls for greater accountability.  All states must establish transportation plans with specific performance standards, measure their progress annually in meeting those standards, and adjust their plans as necessary to achieve national objectives. One of these objectives will be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- a target which will be set out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Another feature of the bill is its creation of new offices.  The Office of  Expedited Project Delivery is one, which will monitor the progress of projects.  But it's the proposed Office of Livability that's receiving praise. In charge of making sure transportation projects are linked to housing and business development, the Office of Livability will be doing a variety of things that supports multi-modal transportation.  Cyclists and pedestrians are excited because the bill directs the leader of the office to conduct a study on their rights, making sure that they are the "intended users" of all transportation facilities, as well as making sure that in case of injury, they have the same ability to recover damages as people in motor vehicles. 
   
Overall, reactions have been positive.  Transportation For America reported, "there are some real signs of change in this bill", and highlighted things such as the consolidation of programs, as well as the bill's creation of a funding stream for the sole purpose of maintaining roads and bridges. 

More information is available here.

Fire Island Village asks for $2.5 Million To Save Grocery StorE

New York State has received yet another request -- $2.5 million to buy and renovate a village's grocery store. Making matters more interesting, the grocery is located in Saltaire, a tiny Fire Island village, with only ten families that live there year-round, and residents, like Gov. David A. Paterson's former chief of staff, that hardly qualify as economically distressed.

This request is of the utmost importance to the Village, seeing as how their entire downtown comprises of this one grocery store.  Mayor Scott Rosenblum describes Saltaire Market as "a main focus of day-to-day life in the village".  It's where residents meet to socialize, to get the latest news, not to mention where they buy food for their families.  Without the market, residents would have to travel a mile by bike or foot to a neighboring village to get the groceries they need. 

Chip Whitney, whose family has owned Saltaire Market since the late 1980s, has watched the store gross less and less each year.  In 2008, he put the 8,4000-square-foot property for sale.  Village officials were immediately concerned that a buyer would transform the market into homes. Hence, their request of $2.5 million in state funds to buy the market. 

The funds would come out of the Restore New York Communities Initiative Program, which provides grants to neighborhoods in need of economic revitalization.  The state has set this money aside to reinvigorate urban centers such as an urban renewal project in Elmont.  If Saltaire receives funding, it would be because the state believes that saving the market would encourage commercial development, create jobs and revenue, and significantly improve the economic state of the Village.

Erin Duggan, a spokeswoman for Gov. Paterson, made no comment on Saltaire's application.

Without the market, there would still be options for the few Saltaire residents.  They can have nonperishable items delivered by supermarkets in Bay Shore, they can carry their groceries on the ferry, or they can take the one mile trip to the villages beside them.  These may not be the most convenient options, but for many people, including Saltaire homeowners, it's better than having a $2.5 million project subsidized by taxpayers. 

Noel Feustel, co-owner of two summer homes in Saltaire, says, "There are hedge fund people in Saltaire.  There are lawyers.  Don't stiff the taxpayers across the bay with a bill for your coffeehouse".  

At Vision, this project definitely seems bizarre, but if New York taxpayer funds subsidized projects like Deer Park's Tanger Outlet mall, we have to fear that anything is possible. There are at least over 50 downtown revitalization projects that would be worthy of Restore New York funds.

Vision featured in this week's Long Island Business News

'Smart-growth champion' is what Long Island Business News is calling Vision Long Island.  In this week's issue, Long Island Business News commended Vision for their role in creating Smart Growth communities across Long Island.

The article gives readers a sense of what Vision is all about.  Throughout Long Island, there is an overwhelming need for downtowns, alternative housing for the young and old population, and the preservation of open space. These problems are what Vision is tackling.

For information on this and other articles, check out LIBN.com.

Tom Suozzi Wants YOU to Come Home to Nassau County

On July 22, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi held a “Next Generation Workshop” in order to glean the younger generation’s feedback on the 2009 Nassau County Master Plan. The workshop was specifically directed at Nassau County residents ranging in ages from 20 to 35. Though over 150 individuals attended, only a little over half of them were in the target age group.

The central issue is the mass exodus of people from Nassau County, also known as “brain drain.” The County noted that 20-24 year olds represent only 6.8% of the population; 25-34 year olds, only 8.7%. These numbers are growing steadier behind Suffolk’s, Westchester’s, and New York City’s percentages. This exodus severely depletes the County’s economic base and hurts its chance for growth and stabilization.

The meeting kicked off with a general inquiry about the audience demographics. Suozzi moved into a brief introduction about the County’s broader plans for a more vibrant future, which included the creation of more “cool downtowns” and “mega projects” such as the The Lighthouse. Round table discussions were held to foster conversation about the likes and dislikes of Nassau County. Many people cited the more relaxed atmosphere, good schools, walkability and clean beaches as their main pros of Nassau County. Concerns about affordability, especially in the nicer towns, steered young people away from Long Island.

Surveys were also passed around to gather additional background information about attendees and people were encouraged to join the Facebook and Twitter pages dedicated to the cause. The workshop was clearly not designed to provide any definitive solutions to the youth exodus problem. However, Suozzi should have gathered enough feedback to help guide the County’s Master Plan in a direction that will hopefully better draw young people back to Nassau County.

Ed Mangano Proposes Nassau County “Green Energy” Fund

Nassau residents will soon have another incentive to “go green.” Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano recently proposed a $25 million Sustainable Energy Loan Fund to encourage the installation of renewable energy products and other energy efficient improvements in homes and businesses.

This proposed law results from the County’s efforts to lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements more affordable. The legislation necessitates that the cost of the improvements would be subsidized by the fund and repaid through property owners’ annual property tax bill over the course of fifteen years.

“Encouraging homeowners to go green by installing solar panels and geothermal HVAC systems will not only drastically reduce home energy costs, it will create jobs,” Ed Mangano asserted. “This legislation is also vital to addressing the issues of global climate change and greenhouse gas emissions in Nassau. By reducing energy demand, the county can meet its statewide energy efficient and greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

If passed, the law would go into effect immediately.

“Ghost boxes”

You’ve seen them before. With their dreary, blank facades sporting “For Sale” signs and their barren, used car ridden parking lots, “ghost boxes” are becoming an increasingly common sight in communities. These retail spaces are neither attractive to buyers nor conducive to different types of businesses. The buildings resemble colossal, windowless boxes.

Big-box stores have long been criticized by urban planners and proponents of Smart Growth for their degradation of land value and inefficient land use. Some residents petition against the construction of big-box stores in their communities. Some communities have been successful in converting these spaces for new uses such as an indoor go-kart track, a Spam museum, and a church. These situations, unfortunately, are in the minority.

Appealing alternatives to these large stores are lively downtown areas. Downtowns tend to offer a variety of retailers to cater to the different needs of resident and are typically very walkable, dynamic areas. More importantly, successful downtowns facilitate strong community ties, contribute to the community’s identity, support local businesses, and are more efficient with land use.

Read more at MSNBC.

Rockville Centre settles development lawsuit

The five-year-old lawsuit between the Village of Rockville Centre and the developers of Darby Drugs has reached a turning point. Chase Partners, the former developer of Darby Drugs, have dropped out, leaving the project's future in the hands of developer AvalonBay.

AvalonBay accepted $1.15 million from the Village of Rockville Centre to settle the lawsuit.  They are now working to get the project off the ground, but what precedes them is a dissonant relationship between the Village and Chase. 

Rockville Centre originally objected to the development on the grounds that it violated the Village's zoning code. Chase Partners filed a $25 million lawsuit against the Village, accusing them of obstructing the development without justification. In 2006, the court ruled in favor of Chase, citing that the project complied with the Village's zoning code, and that Village officials were at fault in trying to delay the project by changing zoning requirements. The Village tried to appeal the decision, but their request was denied by the New York Court of Appeals.

In order to end the five-year stalemate, the Village must release building permits AvalonBay. Matt Whalen, an AvalonBay executive, said they are waiting to know when the building permits will be released so they can begin the $10 million remediation of the site. However, Village spokesman Jeff Kluewer made it clear that no permit will be issued until the remediation is complete.
          
The Darby Drugs development, which was a recipient of a Smart Growth Award, deserves to move forward.

Islip Theater in Last-Minute Controversy

The Islip Theater closed its doors in autumn 2006 after 60 years as a great community entertainment venue. Residents were sad to lose "Movies on Main Street" and teenagers were forlorn that their only local hangout spot would have to be Starbucks. However, there was some positive buzz over redevelopment potential after J.J. Nazzaro Associates purchased the property in June 2007. Ideas were thrown around to build a community playhouse, a nonprofit performing arts center, a restaurant with outdoor seating, or a one-story store. The property owner told the NY Times in 2007 that ''It would not be a big glass box but something that would blend in with the character and quaintness" of the hamlet.  

Flash forward two years, and these ideas have fizzled and led way to a proposal to demolish the site and build a day care facility. On June 18th, 2009, the Islip Town Board held a public hearing for Jim Nazzaro's plan to bring New Jersey-based day care chain The Learning Experience to the Theater's site. The center would be two stories and serve 175-185 children. Fourteen parking spaces would allow parents to drop off children without blocking traffic or the Islip Fire Department, which uses the same streets. 

Some residents still feel as though an entertainment venue would better serve the community, and petitions have been circulating. Now, a musician in the West Islip Symphony, Edward Lambese, is making a last-minute pitch for the property. Lambese would see the space transformed into a symphony hall, also showing movies on the side. Lambese said, "As soon as I got here, it just seemed to scream, 'Help me!'" He sees "a little Radio City Music Hall: red velvet curtains, twisted gold braid, doormen with epaulets, empire crystal chandeliers." The plan would require major renovations, including new plumbing, new air conditioning, and a conversion from its current three theaters into its original single auditorium.

According to Orlando Lopes, New York director of the Theater Historical Society and a petitioner to keep the theater, "Long Island once had about 150 theaters. There are 10 or 15 surviving."

The controversy over the site is not a fierce two-sided battle, as back in November Nazzaro gave Lambese permission to clean up the theater in case the day care deal fell through. Nazzaro told Newsday, "It's a backup plan. Can he make it happen? I don't know. I don't want to give up and end up with an eyesore."

Islip's Planning Board is still hearing comments on the proposal, so get your opinions heard now. Write to: Department of Planning and Development, Islip Town Hall, 655 Main Street, Islip, NY 11751. You can also email commissioner-pd@townofislip-ny.gov.

Read more in Newsday and the New York Times.

Sayville Shopkeepers Band Together as 3/50 Project Gets Local

Vision highlighted the 3/50 Project back in May. Here's how it works: Pick three locally owned businesses that you would miss most if they went out of business. Stop in and say hello, then spend $50 or as much as you can afford to help keep them in business.

For every dollar spent in a locally owned business, more money stays in the local economy than if that dollar was spent at a national chain or an online store: about $68 to the $100 for a local store versus $43 for a chain. Local stores offer benefits such as unique products, donations to local charities, coordination with schools, and a local charm that can strengthen property values. If just half of employed Americans spent $50 at their 3 favorite local stores within a month, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.

Individual shops throughout Long Island have been promoting the 'buy local' message by displaying posters and brochures, but now, Sayville has established a coordinated approach to the campaign. So far, 15 local stores have adopted the campaign. "It's more of a common-sense approach and it's not overbearing," said Angela D'Aguanno of Rumpelstiltskin Yarns in Sayville. "It's not pushing just one store, it's pushing all of our stores."

The 3/50 project was presented at a meeting of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce last week, and was very well received. A majority of downtown businesses are expected to participate. Dan Lent, president of the Chamber, said "There is power in numbers...And why wouldn't people approve this? Here's something that costs us nothing and we have nothing to lose."

A Sayville resident boasted of the buy local concept: "If you do spend that tiny bit more, it's well worth it because you're getting a nice product and they specialize in what they are carrying and know how to present them."

Read more in Newsday.

Home Depot Plan Dies in Smithtown

A plan several years in the making to build a 125,000 square foot Home Depot store at Pulaski and Bread and Cheese Hollow Roads in the Town of Smithtown has effectively died. Smithtown Town Planning director Frank DeRubeis asked the Town Board on July 14th to "dismiss it without prejudice." 

DeRubeis told The Times of Northport and East Northport: "What you try to do with your traffic is you concentrate your development so that you can manage your traffic better...That's how you build retail. You don't spread them out and put them in the middle of nowhere. This site should never have been considered." It also posed problems from lying on a slope, which would be a parking lot/shopping cart nightmare. More importantly, the proposal never gained support from residents or municipalities in the Towns of Smithtown and neighboring Huntington. Huntington has raised concerns over the negative effects on local businesses, the site's road network, and the availability of adequate parking space. 

In 2005, Home Depot applied for a zoning change from light industrial to shopping center business. The Town required an environmental impact statement and additional data before proceeding with the application process. Since then, Home Depot has provided nothing other than requests for several adjournments.

In a statement from a Home Depot spokesperson, they noted that the company has no plans to pursue the store in Smithtown.  There is currently a Home Depot less than 5 miles from the site on Jericho Turnpike.

Important Hearing for Lighthouse: August 4

Tuesday, August 4th marks an important, long-awaited public hearing for the Lighthouse project. Be sure to come to Hofstra University's John Cranston Adams Playhouse at 9:30am to show your support as the Town of Hempstead solicits public comments.  A poll on lighthouseli.com reveals that over 80 percent of voters feel that the project will affect the upcoming elections. This redevelopment project will transform 150 acres surrounding the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum into a mixed-use destination center.

The Town has offered several ways for the public to comment on the project. You can comment via email at lighthousecomment@tohmail.org or in a letter to Lighthouse Project Public Comment, One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. For more information visit www.lighthouseli.com or the official blog of the Lighthouse Development Group, The Light Post.

Vision Long Island supports the Lighthouse project.

Less than one week left in Heartland Comments Period

Get your comments in now on the DGEIS for the Heartland Town Square proposal for the Pilgrim State property, as the public comment period will close on July 28th. Heartland Town Square is proposed to be "a unique mixed-use development of approximately 9,130 residential units, 105,000 square feet of civic space, 1,030,000 square feet of retail space and 4,150,000 square feet of office space to be built over a 15-year period." The site is in Brentwood where the Long Island Expressway meets the Sagtikos State Parkway.

A public hearing for the project was held in May.

Comments can be mailed to Islip Town Hall at 655 Main Street, Islip, NY 11751. 

Read the DGEIS here and Vision's testimony here.

East End GreenFest August 1st-2nd

The East End GreenFest will take place on August 1st and 2nd, an outdoor festival that celebrates the latest green solutions to help people live in a better, healthier world. The festival will take place that Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm at the Strawberry Fields Fairground in Mattituck. 

There are ten live bands on a solar powered stage, local wineries, performers, entertaining and informative speakers, kid’s activities and hands-on demonstrations.   Bring a chair, learn, and enjoy the music, eat healthy foods, and shop for all-natural and sustainable products.  See exhibits on alternative energy, organic and natural products, natural health and beauty, green building, green living, healthy food and beverages, green kids, green transportation, earth friendly fashion, waste reduction, and non-profit associations.  The cost is $3 for adults and children 12 and under are free.

If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the GreenFest, there are a limited number of spots left.  For more information on the festival visit eastendgreenfest.com, call 631-734-5894, or email info@eastendgreenfest.com.

Picnic Pops on August 5

On Wednesday, August 5th, join the Nassau Land Trust for dinner, music, and fun at the Picnic Pops event at Old Westbury Gardens. Dinner buffet begins at 6pm, and a presentation and concert begin at 6:30. The event features music by The Alex Donner Orchestra and a presentation by Michael White of the Long Island Regional Planning Council.

Tickets are $35 with higher donation and sponsorship levels available. The Nassau Land Trust works with landowners to conserve land and educates people involved in land use about land conservation. For more information or to register for the event, visit their website.

Celebration of Suburban Diversity: October 22

Save the date! On October 22nd, the Celebration of Suburban Diversity 2009 Committee and the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University present the Celebration of Suburban Diversity, an inspiring evening in conjunction with Hofstra's major international conference: The Diverse Suburb: History, Politics, and Prospect."

The event will take place from 6-10pm at the Sandra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus at Hofstra.

The Wedding Singer at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson

Join us for the biggest party of the summer! It's 1985 and rock star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. He's the life of the party, until his own fiancée leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, the lovelorn crooner makes every wedding as disastrous as his own until he meets the waitress of his dreams. The show rocks us back to a time when hair was big, collars were up, and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room.

This play is based on the New Line Cinema Film. You might not want to bring the young kids to this one, since some of the language is a little coarse. Showtimes this weekend are Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm, but the play runs through August 15th.

Theatre Three is located at 412 Main Street in Port Jefferson. Call the box office for tickets and more information: (631) 928-9100 (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm). Tickets are $21-28.

Guide to Recreational Bike Routes

Bicycles are a great alternative to cars, especially in the warm summer months when you want to be outside! Though Vision encourages planning communities for bike use, our preexisting suburban fabric can make it difficult to run errands or go to work on two wheels. This week, we're bringing you a list of bike trails throughout Long Island, which will help you with the recreational side of biking.

This list primarily comes from WBAB's Guide to Long Island Bike Trails, as well as trails.com.

Bike trails in Nassau

Bethpage Multiuse Path. This paved route runs the length of Bethpage Parkway, starting at Bethpage State Park, cuts through Massapequa Preserve to Merrick Road. Good for beginners. Pick up the marked route anywhere off the parkway or at the picnic area parking lot. 
Total Mileage: 9.5

Bethpage Mountain Bike Trail. This off- road, marked loop trail, through pine forest, has a variety of terrain for the mountain biker and two challenging hills. Park at the picnic area lot in Bethpage State Park and look for white triangles on trees for starting point south of gatehouse. 
Total Mileage: 4

Eisenhower Park. The southwest section of the park includes a complex web of pedestrian and bike paths. These well-paved and well-maintained paths provide an interesting half day or so of bicycling. The paths explore every corner of the park.
Total Mileage: 5

Jones Beach. (Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway). From Cedar Creek Park, south of Merrick Road east of the Wantagh Parkway, a multipurpose path parallels the parkway to Jones Beach State Park, near the amphitheater. 
Total Mileage: 4.5

Long Beach/Five Towns. This ride encircles the inlet-strewn bays between the Five Towns area bordering New York City, Atlantic Beach, and Island Park, Oceanside, and East Rockway in southern Nassau County. There is great variation in lifestyles to observe among these communities and several interesting stops along the way.
Total Mileage: 20

Valley Stream State Park. Valley Stream Park is one of the oldest of Long Island's state parks. It is smaller than most of the parks of the system but contains 2 miles or so of paths through heavily treed terrain. As a bonus, it ties directly into Hendrickson Park to the south, which extends the path for 2 additional miles around Valley Stream Pond.
Total Mileage: 4

Westbury-Bayville Loop. A hilly, unmarked street route. Take Post Avenue, Westbury village, north to Wheatley Road, cross Route 25A to Wolver Hollow Road then east on Chicken Valley Road to Planting Fields Arboretum. Proceed to Oak Neck Beach in Bayville via Shore Road. Return via Bayville Avenue, Piping Rock, Wheatley and Post roads. 
Total Mileage: 30


Bike trails in Suffolk

Cathedral Pines County Park. This mostly flat, wooded, single-track, off-road route has several optional hill climbs. Trail accommodates all levels, although the hill climbs are designated for more experienced riders. A Suffolk County Green Key card is required and there is a parking fee on weekends during the summer. 
Total Mileage: 6, 7.5 with optional hill climbs

Cold Spring Harbor-Sagamore Hill. A hilly, unmarked street route begins in Cold Spring Harbor. Follow Route 25A into Oyster Bay, where Oyster Bay Cove Road north goes to the Theodore Roosevelt grave and up Cove Neck Road to his home, Sagamore Hill. Retrace the route. 
Total Mileage: 36

Eastport Trail. At routes 51 and 111 in Eastport. A flat, single-track, off-road trail loops through wooded areas. Required: Helmets, eye protection and a free permit, good for three years (from State Department of Environmental Conservation, 631-444-0273). 
Total Mileage: 8.5

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve. For an easy morning or afternoon ride, set your wheels down on this relatively unknown 3,000-acre preserve. It offers a 4-mile loop-and-other mixture of wide, hard-packed, old abandoned dirt roads and some singletracks. 
Total Mileage: 4

Heckscher Park-Central Islip. This flat bikeway starts in Heckscher State Park, where a 5-mile route goes north along Connetquot River into Central Islip and meets Central Suffolk bike path. 
Total Mileage: 10

Huntington-Lloyd Neck. Hilly and scenic, this street route goes from Cold Spring Harbor north on Woodbury Road to Huntington village. Follow West Neck Road through Lloyd Harbor to Caumsett State Historic Park and Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge. At Caumsett, a 2-mile, off-road route (helmet required) leads to a pond and the Sound. 
Total Mileage: 16

Kings Park Hike And Bike Trail. This hilly trail connects downtown Kings Park with Nissequogue River State Park. It follows the old railroad spur from Old Dock Road, just east of Church Street to St. Johnland Road. The trail runs through the grounds of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center and into the state park. This path is good for beginners and families looking for a short, scenic ride or hike. 
Total Mileage: 1.4

Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Mountain Bike Trail. A portion of this unpaved, off-road national recreation trail is marked for mountain bikes (helmets required). From Bethpage State Park picnic area north to Stillwell Woods in Syosset; challenging hills. 
Total Mileage: 8 with an optional 4-mile loop at Stillwell Woods with some difficult terrain

Nissequogue-Stony Brook-Old Field. A hilly route through historic Stony Brook, begins near the mouth of the Nissequogue River in Smithtown and goes via Moriches Road to Head of the Harbor, where Harbor Road leads into Stony Brook. Route then moves north through .Setauket and the Old Field estate area to the lighthouse. Return runs south via Pond Path to Nissequogue River Road, back to Smithtown. 
Total Mileage: 28

North Fork. This is a round-trip on flat terrain through wine country. From Mattituck, take Route 48 east past Southold Beach, where road joins Route 25 at Greenport. Continue along marked bikeway to Orient Beach State Park. Return via bikeway to Greenport, then follow truck Route 25 to Route 25 west. 
Total Mileage: 40

Rocky Point Mountain Bike Trail. This marked trail runs through the Natural Resources Management Area in the pine barrens. Bikers pass typical barrens vegetation. Required: helmets, eye protection and a free permit, good for three years (from DEC, 631-444-0273). 
Total Mileage: 13

Shelter Island. A ferry ride away from the North or South forks. This is a moderately easy north-south street route following Route 114 across the island to the south ferry dock. In North Haven, a marked on-street route along Route 114 leads to East Hampton. 
Total Mileage: 25

South Fork. A sampling of all that the East End offers. From Riverhead, go east on Route 24 through Hubbard County Park, with salt.water marshes and freshwater ponds. Pedal along Montauk Highway, crossing Shinnecock Canal into Southampton. Follow Route 38 along Peconic Bay into Sag Harbor. Swing southeast via Route 114 into East Hampton, then skirt ocean through Hither Hills Park to Montauk Lighthouse. Mostly flat; some hills. 
Total Mileage: 60

Central Suffolk Bikeway. This marked street route begins at Bethpage State Park and runs along Quaker Meeting House Road, Beth.page Road and Main Street to the Farmingdale LIRR station. It then follows the railroad line into Riverhead. LIRR bike boarding passes are available for a $5 one-time fee. 
Total Mileage: 80

Summer Concert Special: Get outside this summer!

Last week, we brought you a sampling of summer farmers markets in Long Island downtowns. We already highlighted the Riverhead Blues Festival, but check out this list of some other exciting local outdoor summer concerts, bring your friends and family, and have fun:

Copiague:
- Tanner Park, Kerrigan Road (all free)
July 31, August 7, 14; 7:30 - Little Anthony & The Imperials, Los Lobos, Bo Bice, Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx, Gary U.S. Bonds

Farmingdale:
- Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Motor Avenue:
July 27, 8:00 - Al Martino

Huntington:
- Heckscher Park, Main Street and Prime Ave:
Everyday except Mondays - Summer Arts Festival

Massapequa:
- John J. Burns Town Park, Merrick Road:
July 25, 26, 28, August 1, 4, 8, 8:00 - Tony Orlando, Lou Gramm, Brenda Lee, Jack Jones, The Fifth Dimension ft. Florence Larue, David Cassidy, Andy Cooney/Ronan Tynan, Doo Wop Extravaganza

Northport:
- Village Park at the Harbor, Main Street (all free)
July 24, 31, August 7, 9, 14, 21, 28, September 4; 7:00 - Happenings on Main Street
August 6, 13, 20, 27; 8:00 - Summerfest Concerts

Oyster Bay:
-Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach, Larabee Avenue:
July 24, August 7; 8:00 - The Fireflies, Kenny Vance and the Planotones; 70s Disco Night

Riverhead:
- East End Arts & Humanities Council Lawn, 133 East Main Street:
July 31 (7:30), August 7, 14, 21; 7:00 - Riverhead Summer Concert Series (free)

Rocky Point:
- St. Anthony's of Padua Church parking lot, 614 Rt. 25A (all free):
July 28, August 11, 25; 8:00 - The Driftwoods (Beach Boys tribute band); Risky Business; Big Shot (Billy Joel tribute)  

Smithtown:
- Hoyt Farm, New Highway in Commack (free):
July 26, 31, August 2, 9, 16, 23; 7pm - Family Concert Series
- Smithtown Library at 1 North Country Road:
July 30, August 6, 13; 8:00 - Family Summer Concert Series: Rag Doll: Four Seasons, Rod Stewart Show: Rick Larrimore, Dr. K's Motown Revue, Beatles Show: Strawberry Fields

West Hempstead:
- Hall's Pond Park, Nassau Boulevard and Hempstead Ave:
Sunday July 26, 6:30-8:30pm- Featuring The North Shore Pops Concert Band
Sunday August 9, 6:30-8:30pm - Featuring band The New York Connection

Farmers Markets Running All Summer

If you're looking for a way to stimulate your local economy while getting fresh food and enjoying your local downtown area, check out a farmers market near you! Here are a few that are centered in downtowns:

SUFFOLK

HUNTINGTON, Elm Street parking lot, Main Street (Route 25A). Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through late November.

HUNTINGTON STATION, corner of New York Ave. and Church St., across from Yankee Peddler. 7am to noon.

NORTHPORT, Cow Harbor parking lot at the end of Main Street. Open Sat., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through Nov. 21 (except Sept. 26). Contact: Flemming Hansen, 631-754-3256.

EAST HAMPTON, Nick & Toni's parking lot, 136 N. Main St. Open Fri., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through September. Contact Kate Plumb, 631-725-9133.

PATCHOGUE, 7-Eleven store parking lot, Montauk Highway west of Route 112. Open Fri., 7 a.m. to noon; through late November.

ISLIP, Town Hall parking lot on Montauk Highway, Route 27A. Open Sat., 7 a.m. to noon; through late November.

RIVERHEAD, downtown next to Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, Downtown. Open Thur., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through late November.

MOUNT SINAI, North Shore Heritage Park, 633 Mt. Sinai-Coroan Rd. Open Fridays, 2 pm to 6 pm. 

PORT JEFFERSON, parking lot next to ferry, Route 25A. Open Thur., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through Oct. 22.

NASSAU

PORT WASHINGTON, Town Dock, Main Street. Open Sat., 8 a.m. to noon; through Oct. 31. Contact: Grassroots Environmental Education, 516-883-0887.

LOCUST VALLEY, Forest Avenue, across from post office. Open Sat., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through late November.

GLEN COVE, Village Square. Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through Nov. 22.

EAST MEADOW, Nassau University Medical Center, 2201 Hempstead Tpke. Open Fri., 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through Thanksgiving.

ROSLYN-NORTH HILLS, Christopher Morley Park, Searingtown Rd. Open Wed., 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through late November

This week, we bring you a poorly planned handicap-access ramp in an unnamed public building. See if you can spot the error.

SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator;
Tawaun Weber, Director of Special Projects; Elissa Ward, Director of Sustainability; Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant

We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768. Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org