Setauket park encapsulates the past and beauty of nature
By Beverly C. Tyler
The intersection of Main Street and Old Field Road in Setauket marks the entrance to the Frank Melville Memorial Park. The horseshoe-shaped park, completed in 1937, includes extensive plantings, a simulated grist mill, a magnificent view of Conscience Bay and the cottage of the last Setauket miller Everett Hawkins. From the park, there is an entrance to the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation sanctuary grounds with its extensive nature paths.
The Setauket Millpond was a center of commerce for the community from the time it was settled in 1655 until early in the 20th century. It is easy to imagine almost any time in Setauket history while in the park.
Looking out over the mill dam, Conscience Bay reflects the 8,000 years the Native Americans lived here before the English settlers came to Setauket. The mill tells the story of the farmer grinding grain in the 1700s. The recently restored red barn was originally made from World War I barracks buildings at Camp Upton in Yaphank. The stable remembers the horse Smokey and speaks of a 19th-century horse and carriage. The stone bridge relates how an immigrant great-grandson came to Setauket and gave it an image of the countryside of rural England and Europe with a park.
Just after dawn the Setauket Millpond shimmers with morning mist and reflects the early morning sky and the trees that partly surround it. Walking along the path in Frank Melville Memorial Park, the only sounds, except for the occasional car going by, are the birds in the trees and the ducks in the pond. They contrast with the greens, browns and grays of early morning. The contemplative surroundings start the day with the beauty of God’s creation and gives perspective to the rest of the day.
Birdsong by Beverly C. Tyler
Spring, the park at morning.
Woodpeckers rat-a-tat, the whoosh of wings — Canadian geese, a soft grouse call is heard.
Bird song, first near and then far, across
the pond.
Bird song left and right.
A gentle breeze turns the pond to silver, moving patterns of dark and light.
The background sounds of water flowing over the mill dam and into the bay.
Pairs of mallards gliding slowly across
the pond.
The trumpet calls of geese announcing flight as they rise from the pond and fly across the mill dam, across the marsh and into the bay.
Trees surrounding the pond make patterns of greens of every shade.
Dark evergreens and climbing vines add vertical splendor climbing skyward.
Bright green beech and silver-green sycamore trees stand stately and strong.
Patches of white dogwood add depth
and contrast.
A heron glides effortlessly across the surface of the pond, rises and disappears into the cover of a black birch tree.
I am overwhelmed by gentle sounds and contrasting scenery, by muted colors in every shade and texture.
Beverly C. Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the society at 93 North Country Road, Setauket. For more information, call 631-751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.
