Coffin Woods was originally part of Charles Coffin’s estate. He was the founder,
president and chairman of General Electric Company. His daughter, Alice, inherited it, and on
her death in 1963, left 73 acres of woodland to the North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary, while her
mansion and outbuildings became Portledge School.
Coffin Woods is a mature oak/beech/tulip tree woodland. It also includes a wet area
with a small pond, red maples, skunk cabbage and cinnamon fern. Box turtles and milk snakes
have been seen here, and the bell-like song of wood thrushes is a delight.
In early spring Coffin Woods has hundreds of Red Trillium blooms, as well as our native
yellow trout lily and the larger lavender European trout lily. Wood anemone is increasing and
many more spring ephemerals can be found. Rarely seen on Long Island is a healthy stand of
Strawberry Bush, Euonymous americanum.
Dogs are allowed in Coffin Woods, they must be leashed at all times. Please pickup
after your dog. No wheeled vehicles. No picnics.
Access is on Oyster Bay Road adjacent to the railroad overpass as the Warden's house. Turn south
immediately under the LIRR overpass. Turn south on Oyster Bay Road in Locust Valley, and proceed up the hill,
past the Warden's house to the parking lot.
