The Hempstead Plains is a region of central Long Island in New York state in what is now Nassau County. It was once an open expanse of native grassland estimated to once extend to about 60,000 acres. It was separated from the North Shore of Long Island by the Harbor Hill Moraine, later approximately the route of Route 25. The modern Hempstead Turnpike approximately traces the separation of the plain from the South Shore of Long Island. The east-west extent was from somewhat west of the modern Queens, New York City border to slightly beyond the Suffolk County border.
Much of the Hempstead Plains has been claimed and developed into the suburban areas familiar to Nassau County. A few areas of the plains remain.
This section of the Hempstead Plains has been preserved. It is a prairie habitat supporting a community of native grasses, wildflowers, insects and birds. The prairie itself is not yet open to be explored, but there are plans for trails to be placed. Construction is in progress near the area but the prairie can still be viewed from the cache location.
Do not park in the lots for the local college as they all require parking permits, there is an area specifically marked for parking for Hempstead Plains where you will be able to visit when the prairie is ready to be explored, but now you can view the prairie from this location. We have seen many birds and native grassland and look forward to seeing the wildflowers when they bloom.