Belmont Lake State Park
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox park Belmont Lake State Park is a Template:Convert day-use state park<ref name=RIoG_PS/> located in North Babylon, New York, United States on Long Island.<ref name="GNIS">Template:Cite GNIS</ref>
History
Belmont Lake State Park was established in 1926 on land that was formerly part of the "Nursery Stud Farm", a Thoroughbred horse farm owned by August Belmont, namesake of the Belmont Stakes.<ref name=NYSP_main/><ref name=50years_p21>Template:Cite book</ref>
The park was selected by Robert Moses as regional headquarters for all state parks on Long Island in 1935.<ref name=NYSP_main/> The park served as the headquarters of the Long Island State Park Commission and Long Island State Parkway Police from their founding in 1946 until their disbandment in 1977 and 1980, respectively.Template:Citation needed It now serves as the headquarters of the Long Island region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, as well as the New York State Park Police.<ref name=NYSP_main/>
Park description
Belmont Lake State Park is a day-use park, featuring boating and picnicking facilities in addition to playing fields for popular sports. Two modern children's playgrounds are also available. Pedal boats, rowboats and kayaks can be rented at the boat dock from May through Columbus Day. <ref name=NYSP_main/>
The park is located near the Southern State Parkway at Exit 38. Bike and pedestrian entrances exist at several points around the perimeter which are free all year long. The park also contains a bicycle path leading to Southards Pond and Argyle Lake in the Village of Babylon.<ref>Belmont Lake State Park to Argyle Lake, Babylon (Bicycling in New York: NYSDOT)</ref>