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Brookside came into being through a 1998 resolution proposed by the then County Legislator, Steve Levy. The property was purchased as parkland through the Clean Water Act, naming Great South Bay as stewards for the property.
The actual possession from Mrs. Adelina Thurber took place in November, 1999, and our first board meeting was held in a tiny, under-lit, over-crowded room that had been used as an apartment in the main house. After the contract had been signed, the Parks Department realized that this was historic property. It had been part of the Isaac Green Estate, built in 1897.
Islip Town acquired the abutting 2.9 acres as a result of negotiations between the developer of what is now Lorraine Circle to our west.
Issac H. Green Jr.
at the height of
his career
Isaac Green is an important Long Island architect. In fact, one of our members, Connie Currie is completing a book of his life and works.
These historic photos are probably between 1920's and 1949's.The bridge was used for motorcars to the main house and the walk-over was the new bridge to the weir. The Green's Creek running along the east side of the property empties into Great South Bay.
The rhododendrons that border the main lawn were mostly planted by Mrs. Thurber throughout her 50-year stay. Both she and her daughter, Sue Quinn wanted this property kept just as it was for a nature preserve.
The wooden bridges on the property were
built by Joe Greco, one of our volunteer
members, and the paths were cut and kept up
by our volunteers. A grant for $50,000 was a
result of a resolution proposed by
Legislator Ginny Fields, who is on our board
and was a former president of our chapter
for six years. Great South Bay is also
working with the senior class of Sayville
High School's Environmental Advanced
Placement Class. Their teacher, Maria Brown
is a former GSBAS board member and we are
reaping the benefits of her students’
projects.
Our chapter is monitoring birds present on the property to date. We have logged more than 97 species of birds, and last year we watched our first green heron nest which fledged three chicks.
This
shingled cottage served as the gatehouse to
Brookside.
In June we have our public meeting. Live raptors and other animal species are presented to families, friends and children.
Kathleen Kozakiewicz
Brookside Director
2007-Present
Kathleen O’Connor
Past Brookside Director 2000-2007
GSBAS - P.O.
Box 267, Sayville, NY 11782 · 631-563-7716
