Mangano Announces Grand Re-Opening Of Tackapausha Museum And Preserve

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that the Tackapausha Museum and Preserve will be re-opening tomorrow, Saturday, April 21st at 12:00 p.m., after being closed to the public for renovations. Located at 225 Washington Avenue in Seaford, the newly renovated Tackapausha Museum and Preserve includes an innovative Hands-On Discovery Center with reptiles, birds of prey, owls and squirrels, along with crafts and guided nature tours. In addition to serving the public and local school groups, the Museum and Preserve will now also be available for Scout programs and birthday parties.

“I am pleased to announce that the historic Tackapausha Museum and Preserve is once again open to the public,” said County Executive Mangano. “Restoring the Tackapausha Museum and Preserve was important to our community as it showcases the ecology and animals that are native to Long Island in a fun and exciting atmosphere.”

In the middle of densely populated Seaford on the South Shore, is an historic and beautiful 84-acre sanctuary of oak forests, ponds and streams, small mammals and scores of bird species, all of which can viewed via five miles of clearly marked trails.

The Tackapausha Museum and Preserve, the first tract of preserve land acquired by Nassau County (in 1938 and originally for drainage purposes), is one of the most popular preserves on the South Shore. Bordered by Merrick Road on the south and Jerusalem Avenue on the north, it provides residents with the opportunity to enjoy a physically and spiritually invigorating hike in a convenient and accessible location. In addition, the preserve incorporates a 3,000-square-foot museum with displays about the ecology of Long Island, as well as animal exhibits and shows and interactive activities for children.

The preserve itself consists of three sections divided by major roads, with trails that meander through each part. In the southern section, between Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway, the preserve is host to the largest Atlantic White Cedar “stand,” or grouping of trees, in Nassau County, located in a swamp just north of Tackapausha Pond, near Merrick Road. In the central section, between Sunrise Highway and Clark Avenue, a small, secluded pond draws waterfowl and amphibians. The northern section, between Clark and Jerusalem avenues, includes a small wetland near Clark.

Tackapausha Museum and Preserve will be open Thursday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission is as follows: $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children over 5 and Senior Citizens. For further information please call: (516) 571-7443 or visit the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.