Heckscher Park, Huntington
Heckscher Park and Heckscher State Park are two different places on Long Island, one on the North Shore and one on the South Shore. Heckscher Park is an 18-acre town park in Huntington village, at Prime Avenue and Route 25A, home to the Heckscher Museum of Art and the Chapin Rainbow Stage, where Huntington holds its Fourth of July celebration. Heckscher State Park is the 1,600-acre state park in East Islip on the Great South Bay, with beaches, a campground and cottages. August Heckscher's generosity is behind both.
The Two Heckscher Parks
Which Heckscher Are You Looking For?
- Art museum, pond, summer concerts, Fourth of July fireworks, tennis: Heckscher Park, Huntington (North Shore).
- Bay beach, camping, cottages, kayaking, big picnic groves, deer, the Greenbelt Trail: Heckscher State Park, East Islip (South Shore). Start at our home page.
Heckscher Park in Huntington
The Town of Huntington calls Heckscher Park the "Central Park" of Huntington village. It was a gift to the people of Huntington from financier and philanthropist August Heckscher and his wife, Nannie A. Heckscher, and passed from the Heckscher Trust to the Town in 1954. Its 18 acres hold:
- The Heckscher Museum of Art.
- The Chapin Rainbow Stage, an outdoor amphitheater.
- A pond, gardens and a sculpture garden.
- A playground, a lighted playing field and four lighted tennis courts, bocce courts and model sail boating.
- A 9/11 memorial and a one-third-mile jogging loop.
- Restrooms.
The park is a few minutes' walk from downtown Huntington. The Town's Parks and Recreation Department is at (631) 351-3089.
Concerts and Fireworks
The Huntington Summer Arts Festival, presented by the Huntington Arts Council with the Town, has run on the Chapin Rainbow Stage since 1966, with free performances Tuesday to Sunday evenings from late June to early August. Huntington's July 4 celebration is held there too: local news listed the 2026 event at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park, Huntington. If you searched for "Heckscher fireworks," that is the one. NYS Parks' Heckscher State Park page lists no Fourth of July fireworks.
Heckscher State Park in East Islip
Heckscher State Park is New York State's park, run by NYS Parks, at the end of the Southern State Parkway in East Islip. It covers 1,600 acres on the Great South Bay with:
- Two bay beaches with lifeguards in summer (beaches).
- A 69-site campground and 15 waterfront cottages (camping, cottages).
- Shady picnic groves and three big pavilions (picnic areas).
- Four miles of paved paths and the south end of the Greenbelt Trail (hiking).
- Kayak and boat launches (kayaking).
One Benefactor, Two Parks
NYS Parks says New York State bought the East Islip land with a donation from August Heckscher, against strong opposition from wealthy neighbours, and the Town of Huntington credits him and his wife with the Huntington park. See our history page.
Heckscher Park, Huntington FAQ
Is Heckscher Park the same as Heckscher State Park?
No. Heckscher Park is an 18-acre town park in Huntington village with the Heckscher Museum of Art. Heckscher State Park is a 1,600-acre state park on the Great South Bay in East Islip.
Where are the Heckscher Park fireworks?
Huntington's Fourth of July event is at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park, Huntington village. NYS Parks' page for Heckscher State Park in East Islip lists no fireworks.
Where is the Heckscher Museum of Art?
In Heckscher Park, Huntington, at Prime Avenue and Route 25A.
Who is Heckscher Park named after?
August Heckscher, the financier and philanthropist who, with his wife Nannie, gave the Huntington park to the town. His donation also helped New York State buy Heckscher State Park.