Summary
The town is weighing whether to buy into preserving the 145-acre 4-H camp property with Suffolk County and the Peconic Land Trust. Supporters gathered nearly 300 petition signatures; critics like Ken Zilnicki argue the price — roughly $110,000/acre versus the $69,000 the trust paid — is too high and the land would generate tax revenue if developed.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 1, 2026.
Impact analysis
A potential multi-million-dollar purchase from the Community Preservation Fund — supporters want a fair price, critics call the asking price a 50% markup.
Reeves Park neighbors and open-space advocates get preserved land connecting to Long Island Sound; all residents get trail and habitat protection.
Critics say the town loses potential property tax revenue — possibly $500,000 to $1 million a year — that development would generate.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Town Board Work Session - Oct 1, 2026
The Peconic Land Trust, Open Space Committee, Suffolk County, and the town are working to preserve the ~145-acre 4-H property, with the town buying about 32 acres using Community Preservation Fund money. The county's purchase of development rights likely won't close until early 2027, and board members questioned the appraisal gap between the town's parcel ($110K/acre) and the whole property ($69K/acre).
Town Board - Sep 1, 2026
The town is weighing whether to buy into preserving the 145-acre 4-H camp property with Suffolk County and the Peconic Land Trust. Supporters gathered nearly 300 petition signatures; critics like Ken Zilnicki argue the price — roughly $110,000/acre versus the $69,000 the trust paid — is too high and the land would generate tax revenue if developed.
Town Board - Aug 4, 2026
The Peconic Land Trust is under contract to buy the 145-acre 4-H camp and wants Riverhead to help fund 36 acres at roughly $110,000/acre. Critics say the math doesn't add up and the land could be preserved through clustering at no town cost; supporters say open space preservation is the town's most critical job.
Town Board Work Session - Jul 23, 2026
The Peconic Land Trust is buying the 145-acre 4-H camp from Nassau County, and Riverhead is considering buying about 36 acres to connect its existing preserve to the Sound. Big open questions: demolition of roughly 40 aging structures, cliff safety, and the price — all headed to negotiation.
Town Board - Apr 21, 2026
The board authorized an appraisal of part of the 4-H camp property on Sound Avenue, a step civic leaders called a once-in-a-lifetime preservation opportunity after years of work with Suffolk County.
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