The Town's Department of Public Works manages the Town's open space intended for passive recreational purposes. Our stewardship efforts attempt to balance public access with protecting the ecological integrity of each parcel.
Public trails within the Town of Southold showcase the North Fork’s natural treasures, including forest, wetland, dune, and beach habitats. Trails are generally open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk.
To help address the negative impacts of excessive deer herbivory on our natural communities, many preserves with official hiking trails are included in the Southold Town Deer Management Program.