Mount Loretto Unique Area

• Open for recreation: Year-round, from dawn to dusk
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 2 Long Island City Office (M-F, 8:45 AM - 4:45 PM), (718) 482-4900; [email protected]
  • Enforcement Matters: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or 911
  • Region 2 Environmental Educator: (718) 482-6404
• Location: Staten Island, Richmond County
• Map: Mount Loretto Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Mount Loretto Unique Area provides nature lovers with more than 200 acres of forest, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal shoreline on the southern shore of Staten Island. These habitats make it a beautiful area to hike and one of the best places to spot migrating birds in the area.

Butler Manor Woods, located within Mount Loretto Unique Area, encompasses roughly 18 acres of wetlands. It is a remarkable parcel of land that truly complements and beautifies the incredible ecological diversity already found within Mount Loretto.

Grassland 
Grasslands make up most of the Unique Area. Some grassland bird species are in decline because nesting habitat is disappearing; three of these species include the bobolink, common meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. All of these species like moist fields with small to moderate height vegetation, characteristic of the fields at Mount Loretto. The eastern meadowlark has not been observed on Mount Loretto in many years, but bobolinks have been spotted with increasing frequency.

Coastal 
Coastal/marine habitat is the second largest habitat zone at Mount Loretto. A narrow sand and cobble beach fronts the property for roughly a mile of coastline, and the property includes 49 acres of underwater lands. A tidal inlet on the eastern end of the property links Prince's Bay to the tidal wetlands. This inlet brings saltwater into the tidal wetlands. The course of the inlet changes with the wind and waves.

Freshwater Wetland 
The freshwater wetlands on Mount Loretto make up 16 acres of the property and are part of a larger wetland system, the Tottenville Freshwater Wetland. Wetlands provide flood water and stormwater control, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, erosion and sediment control, and aesthetics. Mount Loretto's wetlands are low marshes in an open field and contain species such as sedges, rushes, bulrushes, red maple, willows, arrowwood, and highbush blueberry.

Accessible Features

From the Hylan Boulevard Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Fishing platform;
• Picnic pavilion and viewing platform on bay;
• Two hiking trails—fishing pier trail, and wetlands trail and boardwalk to viewing platform; and
• Portable toilet (seasonal)

The Wetlands trail to a viewing platform of coast is 0.5 mile one way and has a gentle grade (max. slope 10%), wide tread (min. width 3 feet), and firm surface of boardwalk and crushed stone. 

The trail to the fishing pier is 0.1 mile one way and has a gentle grade (max. slope 5%), wide tread (min. width 4 feet), and firm crushed stone surface.

The bayside picnic pavilion and viewing platform are 0.5 mile from the parking area along an administrative road. The accessible hiking trails provide access to other features on site. See accessible trail descriptions above.

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Watch a clip about accessible features at Mt. Loretto.

Directions

From Goethals and Verrazano Bridges: on I-278, take the exit for 440 South (West Shore Expressway). Take the last exit (exit # 1) on 440 South (just before the Outerbridge Crossing). At the end of the ramp there will be a traffic light; make a right. At the next intersection, take another right. At the traffic light, make a third right. This puts you on Page Avenue. Follow Page Avenue until Hylan Boulevard (go through four traffic lights, the fifth light is Hylan Boulevard.) Take a LEFT on to Hylan Boulevard and the parking lot for Mount Loretto will be about 3/4 mile along Hylan Boulevard on the right side. Or, off the Verrazano Bridge, you can take the exit for Hylan Boulevard and follow that south until you come to Mount Loretto (the parking lot will be on the left coming this way).

• Mount Loretto Unique Area parking lot: (40.509370°N, 74.218136°W) Google Maps

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations, and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Mt. Loretto Unique Area must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Prevent Lyme disease. Check yourself, children, and dogs for ticks after you enjoy the trails at Mount Loretto.

Watch out for poison ivy. Mount Loretto is home to all three forms of poison ivy: the free-standing, woody plants; the hairy, woody vines; and the small ground plant. To stay itch-free, remember the adage, "leaves of three, leave it be." Add in "hairy vine, no friend of mine" and you are covered on the poison ivy front.

***Stay Safe - Bring a Friend When Visiting the Property***

Illegal activities are strictly prohibited on state property.

Specific Rules

1. No littering - this is a "Carry in, Carry out" facility. There are no trash cans and you must take your trash out with you when you leave.
2. Park vehicles only in designated areas.
3. Vehicles are not allowed beyond the parking area and cannot remain on the property overnight.
4. Horseback riding is limited to the beach area only.
5. Fishing is allowed in compliance with State regulations.
6. Pedestrians and dogs are to remain on designated trails at all times. No one is allowed off trail or asphalt without a permit and escort.
7. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times and owners must pick up after their dogs.
8. Bicycles are allowed only on asphalt surfaces. Riding on non-asphalt surfaces is prohibited.
9. Prohibited activities include:
   1. Use of ATVs, snowmobiles, and other off-road vehicles
   2. Use of remote-controlled and model airplanes
   3. All fires, including camp grills and cooking fires
   4. Collection of plants, wildlife, and/or cultural material
   5. Introduction or release of plants and wildlife
   6. Removal and/or defacement of state property
   7. Hunting and trapping
   8. Use and discharge of any firearm or weapon
   9. Playing of radios, loudspeakers, or other sound equipment
   10. Alcoholic beverages
   11. Camping
10. Jet-skis and other motorized watercraft are not allowed within 100 feet of shore.
11. Kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized watercraft are allowed on the seashore but cannot remain overnight.
12. A Temporary Revocable Permit is required to perform the following activities at Mount Loretto Unique Area:
    1. filming
    2. activities taking place between sunset and sunrise
    3. placement of geocaches
13. Visitors must comply with all DEC posted notices and DEC personnel instructions.

Planning and Management

DEC has developed a Draft Southern Staten Island Unit Management Plan (PDF) which describes the proposed management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at [email protected].

One of the main management goals at Mount Loretto is to improve and maintain nesting habitat for grassland birds. DEC's management program now mows the meadows in late October, long after nestlings fledge. This practice will guarantee the preservation of open fields for many species.

Volunteers

DEC encourages volunteers who wish to help with trail maintenance, interpretive materials, invasive plant removal, garbage removal and wildlife habitat improvement to contact DEC for details at (718) 482-4942.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Arden Heights Woods
• Bloesser's Pond
• North Mount Loretto State Forest
• Lemon Creek
• Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Staten Island.

Staten Island Tourism can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

History

Mount Loretto Unique Area is also home to the John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse (formerly Prince's Bay Lighthouse). The lighthouse and attached keeper's cottage were constructed in the 1860s on the highest point of Staten Island's southern shore. Today, the lighthouse cottage serves as the residence for the local forest ranger.

In 2006, Mount Loretto Unique Area was expanded with the purchase of Butler Manor Woods, a roughly 18-acre wetland area. The property receives its name from the Butler family, who owned almost 100 acres of the original land during the early 1900s. Prior to that, in the 1880s the Catholic Archdiocese of New York had used the property, which also included Mount Loretto, to minister to the hungry, homeless and disabled children and adults who lived in and around the area. The property was purchased through funding and collaborative efforts between the Trust for Public Land, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the US Department of Justice and the US Environmental Protection Agency, and grants secured by Senators Schumer and Clinton, Congressman Fosella, and the support of Congressman Jose Serrano. The area is a part of the DEC's Open Space Conservation plan, which serves as the blueprint for the State's land conservation efforts that have conserved nearly a million acres of land.