Best parks for kids

Photo by Kirsten Luce

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Choo! Choo! On a sunny Thursday, Walter Poppe and Robert Steinberg were out with fellow railroad enthusiasts, rebuilding the train tracks at Southaven County Park in preparation for summer. The park offers train rides for kids -- and adults -- on a couple of Sundays each month during the summer.

"It's one of the best-kept secrets," says Poppe, president of the Long Island Live Steamers, the club that maintains the railroad on the county's land.

That's just one of the "secrets" of Long Island's parks. Here is the inside scoop on Southaven and other great park destinations for kids.

- Compiled by Beth Whitehouse

User rating 3

Southaven County Park Suffolk, County park, Kayak/Canoe rental, Hunting land, Fishing, Paddling and rowing, Kids Victory Avenue Brookhaven 1,323 acres; 3-miles of bridle paths, individual and group campsites (groups must reserve), freshwater fishing ...
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North Hempstead Beach Park City and Town beach, Beach, Kids, Outdoors, Sports and recreation West Shore Road off Roslyn Road Port Washington The staff is friendly and the park offers basketball, volleyball, handball, shuffleboard, and bocce courts. ...
User rating 4

Grant Park County park, Skating, Inline skating, Roller rinks, Kids, Outdoors, Ice skating rink Broadway and Sheridan Avenue Hewlett This county park in Hewlett has an outdoor roller-skating rink. Bring your own skates or ...
User rating 4

Northport Village Park Kids, Outdoors, Sports and recreation, Waterside, Performing Arts Center Main Street Northport This charming waterfront park has a nautical feel. It's small enough to be manageable, yet ...
User rating 4

Lake Ronkonkoma County Park County park, Running, Walking, Baseball, Basketball, Kids Lake Ronkonkoma The 223 acres park has two baseball fields, handball and basketball courts with an added ...
User rating 4

Mitchell Park Kids, Outdoors, Sports and recreation Front Street Greenport A grassy meadow on the water, the park's main attraction is the Greenport Carousel, built ...
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Heckscher Park Park, Arts and Entertainment, Attractions, Outdoors, Kids, Sports and recreation 2 Prime Ave. at Route 25A Huntington A free children's outdoor concert series at the Chapin Rainbow Stage offers weekly puppet shows, ...
User rating 2

Cantiague Park County park, Kids, Outdoors, Sports and recreation 480 W. John St. Hicksville 127 acres; picnic area, playground, table game area, horseshoe pits, boccie court, shuffleboard, basketball and ...
User rating 1

Belmont Lake State Park State park, Kayak/Canoe rental, Paddling and rowing, Kids, Outdoors, Sports and recreation Exit 38 - Southern State Parkway North Babylon This 459-acre spread surrounds a lake, with picnic and play areas nearby ...