Hempstead Lake State Park (Kids 12 & Under)

Because Hempstead Lake State Park includes so many varied habitats, it's loaded with native and exotic shoots, greens, and flowers in early spring, many of which are edible, medicinal, and renewable.

I've never seen anywhere with so much sassafras. Considered a "weed" tree, you can uproot small saplings of this shade-intolerant tree in shady areas with no environmental impact. Use the roots for tea, to make root beer, or as a culinary seasoning.

In sunny, grassy areas, we'll find chickweed, a micro-green loaded with nutrients, that tastes like corn silk. Wet lawns will be loaded with hairy bittercress, a misnamed, delicious, spicy mustard. Sunny and partially-shaded areas will also provide field garlic, a relative of onions and garlic with leaves you use like scallions, and spicy, garlic-like bulbs.

Note: Location in the northernmost parking lot off Eagle Ave, exit 18 of the Southern State Parkway, in West Hempstead, NY