Trust for Public Land Announces $16.4 Million for First Phase of Long Island Greenway

Brentwood to Bethpage Connector Project Begins Transformative 175-Mile Trail Initiative

New York, NY- Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national leader in land conservation and trail creation, is proud to announce $16.4 million in federal funding for Suffolk County for the first phase of the Long Island Greenway - the 12-mile Brentwood to Bethpage Connector. This milestone marks the beginning of the Long Island Greenway, a transformative 175-mile trail network connecting communities from Manhattan to Montauk.

"The Brentwood to Bethpage Connector is a game-changer for Long Island. With incredible support from Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Suffolk County leading the way, we're creating protected off-road spaces for people to walk, bike, and move safely across the communities of Long Island," said Tamar Renaud, Associate Vice President, New York State Director at Trust for Public Land. "This trail will not only help people connect to each other and vital economic and public resources, but also to the outdoors, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world."

The funding, secured through the U.S. Department of Transportation's [USDOT] RAISE grant program, will support the design and construction of this critical 12-mile trail segment. The USDOT's RAISE program provides grants for transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact, specifically sponsoring multi-use transportation options that cover multiple jurisdictions like the Long Island Greenway.

"I am proud to announce that Long Island has secured not one-but two-critical RAISE grants to modernize aged infrastructure and build an exciting new project in Nassau and Suffolk counties, specifically The Long Island Greenway project from Brentwood-to-Bethpage and the route 454 Veterans Memorial highway project in Suffolk County," said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. "These two awards will repair a critical bridge, built in the name of our hero veterans, and will also spur economic development, walking, biking and tourism through the creation of a safe and popular pedestrian-friendly trail. These RAISE grants I fought hard to deliver are big wins for Long Island and prove that local leaders and groups have done a phenomenal job at teeing up infrastructure projects that are ripe and ready to go."

"I am thrilled that the Long Island Greenway will receive a RAISE Grant," said Senator Gillibrand. "Green and open spaces are a critical asset to any community, and this funding will help ensure that the necessary resources are available for the Long Island Greenway so New Yorkers and visitors alike can enjoy the area's beauty. I am proud to have worked to secure the funding for this grant as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I will continue to advocate for Long Island to receive the federal resources it needs."

The Brentwood to Bethpage Connector is a collaborative effort between TPL and Suffolk County, with strong support from local partners and stakeholders, including Friends of the Long Island Greenway, New York State Parks, the Town of Huntington, and key leaders such as County Executive Ed Romaine, Assemblymember Steve Stern, Senator Monica Martinez, and Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth.

"The $16.4 Million RAISE Grant will be an exceptional stepping-stone to begin the long-awaited Long Island Greenway chain of trails. This impressive 12-mile segment of the Greenway will finally connect Long Island to the existing Empire State Trail, which reaches as far North as the Canadian Border, as far west as Buffalo, and South as Manhattan. But, I am most excited that it will now cross through the beautiful landscape that incorporates the Town of Huntington," said Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth. "As we embark on this initiative that will promote outdoor recreation, improve public health, and connect communities, we will also be providing safe passage for pedestrians, bicyclists, and hikers, reducing the need to share the road with motor vehicles. Congratulations on this well-deserved grant and I look forward to breaking ground on the next phase of the Greenway."

The eastern end of the Brentwood to Bethpage Connector will link Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood to the western terminus near Bethpage State Park and Farmingdale State College, connecting students, faculty, and regional recreational users. The trail will serve historically underserved communities such as Brentwood and Wyandanch while connecting residents to over 100 bus stops, the Deer Park Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station, and major employment centers along the Route 110 corridor.

Suffolk County consistently ranks among the top five in New York State for fatal vehicle crashes. This project will provide safer, protected infrastructure to reduce accidents and fatalities, especially in high-crash areas like Brentwood and Wyandanch. In turn, the trail will reduce annual transportation-related carbon emissions by 250,000 pounds, offering an alternative to single-occupancy vehicle use, while driving economic growth, by better connecting residents to major employers.

"This trail will link neighborhoods, schools, colleges, and parks, making vital resources more accessible to all residents," continued Renaud. "But it's not just about connecting people to each other and critical resources-it's about fostering community, and a deeper connection to the outdoors. Together, we're building a brighter, more equitable future for everyone across Long Island."

The Brentwood to Bethpage Connector will be the first constructed segment of the broader Long Island Greenway, a visionary trail system that will span over 175 miles and connect 27 communities and 26 parks. The Greenway will connect 8 million residents and link Long Island to the 750-mile Empire State Trail, that spans the state from Plattsburgh in the north and Buffalo in the west, providing a continuous, multi-use trail network for millions of New Yorkers.

The Long Island Greenway is being developed in five phases, with the Brentwood to Bethpage Connector serving as a vital first step. Once complete, the Greenway will provide 60% off-road trail access, offering residents a safe, sustainable, and enjoyable alternative to car travel between communities-or enjoy the chance to get all the way out of the city for those seeking a longer adventure.

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About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,420 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.