HomeNew YorkLake Grove › Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park

Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 181 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Grove, New York · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedLoopShadedDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parkingQuiet

Quiet, clean park featuring paved pathways and benches.

What runners say about Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (181 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 11 mentions

“It's very well maintained, and people you meet there seem polite and nonthreatening.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“What a nice peaceful place to walk and you can walk your dog leash to also which we did .”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Took my dog for a walk here for the first time and it was nice to have a clear path to use throughout the park but also a good amount of woods area for my dog to explore.”

My wife and I love to walk in this sweet little park. It's very well maintained, and people you meet there seem polite and nonthreatening. Very flat and clean walkway, good for those who may have difficulty hiking in a more rugged setting. Easy and pleasant way to enjoy a stroll through the trees.

★★★★★ — Scott , May 2023

Took my dog for a walk here for the first time and it was nice to have a clear path to use throughout the park but also a good amount of woods area for my dog to explore. It was not busy at all and the parking lot is directly near the entrance.

★★★★★ — Tressie , Feb 2026

Here is an amiable, small park with a continuing running path, and separate, little-length walking paths. For the summer, there is ample shade. The park is doubtlessly charming during fall and winter seasons having benches to sit.

★★★★★ — Curtis , Jun 2020

A small quaint little village park, named for one of the former mayor's here. The park is clean, the walking trails are maintained and its in a very nice area. There are a small number of parking spaces available.

★★★★★ — Andrew , Feb 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 181 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 17 mentions

“Took my dog for a walk here for the first time and it was nice to have a clear path to use throughout the park but also a good amount of woods area for my dog to explore.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 9 mentions

“An asphalt loop for those who are tick-wary with dirt paths entwined, twisting through the middle.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“It was not busy at all and the parking lot is directly near the entrance.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“What a nice peaceful place to walk and you can walk your dog leash to also which we did .”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“I love the little paths throughout the small wooded area.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“An asphalt loop for those who are tick-wary with dirt paths entwined, twisting through the middle.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitebrookhavenny.gov
  • Phone(631) 451-6101
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–6 PM
Thursday 7 AM–6 PM
Friday 7 AM–6 PM
Saturday 7 AM–6 PM
Sunday 7 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park

Pond Path, Lake Grove, NY 11755

Get directions

Running trails near Lake Grove

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Olga Wilk Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 112 reviews

Lake Grove, NY

Shaded

under a mile away

Jamerson's Woods

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Lake Grove, NY

1.9 miles away

Lake Ronkonkoma County Park Home of Syag Sports

4.4 ★★★★☆ 881 reviews

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY

ShadedScenic

Lakeside park with baseball fields, basketball & handball courts, plus a fishing pier & picnic area.

3.1 miles away

Avalon Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,541 reviews

St James, NY

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Natural conservation area with 5 diverse habitats, abundant native flora & fauna & walking trails.

3.5 miles away

Thomas Muratore Park at Farmingville Hills

4.5 ★★★★★ 152 reviews

Farmingville, NY

Dog-friendly

Dog-friendly park offering a network of well-kept trails, as well as a large field.

4.4 miles away

Hidden Pond Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 20 reviews

Hauppauge, NY

4.7 miles away

All running trails in Lake Grove, NY →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.