Suffolk legislators and others toured the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Lloyd Harbor recently to build support for open space preservation of land owned by the Catholic institution.
An historic site, the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception has been a center for the theological education and priestly formation of candidates for the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. The Diocese of Brooklyn purchased 200 acres in the Village of Lloyd Harbor in 1924 to build a Seminary. The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception was dedicated and formally opened on September 28, 1930.
Suffolk Legislator Stephanie Bontempi joined members of the Environment, Parks & Agriculture Committee along with Suffolk County Historian Richard Martin, a representative of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, various other County employees and Seminary staff to take an in-depth tour of the grounds and share expertise and opinions.
Back in June of this year, Bontempi and her colleagues unanimously passed a resolution that put the wheels in motion necessary for an acquisition of the land to occur. Although the process is still in an early phase, Bontempi is working to keep the momentum going toward preservation.
“Preserving open space is a priority that almost all Suffolk County residents share,” said Bontempi. “Properties like these are getting rarer and rarer, especially in western Suffolk County. We have to seize this opportunity and ensure that all Suffolk County residents present and future have unfettered access to this jewel.”
The 200+ acre piece of property is notably diverse in what it can offer to the public if and when it becomes preserved as parkland, from its walking trails, to the abundant wildlife, to its historic elements such as the spacious amphitheater designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
“As of right now, there are three partners in the acquisition – the State of New York, the Town of Huntington and Suffolk County,” added Bontempi. “It is possible that other entities will become a partner moving forward, however, the goal would be the same – preserving the land for the public.”
While the majority of the Seminary’s current property would be included in the acquisition, the Seminary will maintain a portion containing its main building and surrounding land to continue its programs.
No sales price or reason for the sale was given at the time of the publication of this article. We will follow up with more information as it comes available.
