Mashashimuet Park and Otter Pond are located within the environmentally sensitive area of the Long Pond Greenbelt.
According to the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, it is “Widely acknowledged as one of New York State’s most environmentally significant areas, the Long Pond Greenbelt encompasses a magnificent six-mile long expanse of interconnected ponds woods, and wetlands in the Town of Southampton, New York, on the South Fork of Long Island’s East End. Spectacular for its wealth of rare plants, animals, and ecological communities, the Greenbelt is widely recognized as one of the most ecologically significant areas in all of New York. A splendid feature of the Greenbelt is its magnificent collection of thirteen coastal plain pond and pondshore communities, affectionately known as the Greenbelt’s “string of pearls.” Both statewide and globally, these coastal plain pond environments are considered very rare and vulnerable to extinction. They also harbor one of the highest concentrations of rare plants and animals in New York State.”
The Park board is committed to protecting and preserving the fragile ecosystem in which the park grounds and Otter Pond are located. This includes using organic products and practices to maintain the fields and grounds.