Hempstead Lake State Park (Teens/Adults)

Hempstead Lake State Park encompasses a remarkable diversity of distinct ecological habitats, which means the park is filled with a wide variety of native plants, exotic vegetation, fresh shoots, leafy greens, and blooming flowers during the early springtime months. Many of these plant species are edible, possess medicinal properties, and are renewable resources that can be sustainably harvested.

The park contains an unusually abundant population of sassafras trees. Although commonly considered a "weed" species, you can carefully uproot young saplings of this shade-intolerant tree from densely shaded forest areas with virtually no environmental impact or damage to the ecosystem. You can prepare the nutritious roots for herbal tea, use them to create homemade root beer, or employ them as distinctive culinary seasonings in your cooking.

In areas with sunny, open grassland conditions, you will discover chickweed, a tender microgreen variety loaded with nutritional value that possesses a subtle flavor reminiscent of corn silk. In wet lowland areas and marshy locations, expansive patches of hairy bittercress thrive, a plant with a delightfully deceptive name, as it offers genuinely delicious spicy mustard-like flavors. Sunny and partially shaded areas throughout the park will also provide abundant field garlic, a close botanical relative of onions and culinary garlic, featuring tender leaves that you can utilize similarly to fresh scallions, plus distinctive spicy, garlic-flavored bulbs perfect for seasoning dishes.

Note: The class meeting location is in the northernmost parking lot accessed from Eagle Avenue, exit 18 off the Southern State Parkway, in West Hempstead, New York.