This map shows the historical course of the Meadowbrook. The green line is the path that I took. Notice that the pond just before the tubes was not there on the old maps. I think the pond was built as part of the construction about 10 years ago. The red line shows the course according to a map of Town of Hempstead property owners from the late 1800's. Notice the pond under the red line at the bottom of the map. That's Barnum Pond, which used to be where the Barnum Woods Elementary School is now (my alma matter). The blue line shows the course according to a 1963 Hagstroms map of Nassau County. In my research (thanks to the Long Island Studies Institute), I found several maps, all of which show the Meadowbrook terminating just north of what is now Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Nonetheless, there is a lot of water coming through those tubes, so the modern watershed is being fed by something newer. Only a journey through the tubes will tell.

The trail begins at this cul de sac where Richmond Rd. meets Wilson Ave. My Grandparents' house is just a few houses to the south.

To many, a warning, to me, an invitation. This sign is posted right next to a very conspicuous opening in the fence.

Entering the woods, the Meadowbrook is just a few steps farther in; it was running pretty well that day. In the past, the stream would often be dry for months. I reached the stream and started heading north, seeking its source.

There are no defined paths in these woods. Use trails would pop up for a few hundred feet and then dissapear into thickets. Bushwacking and thorndodging were in order.

The brook runs through a strip of forest that never gets more than 100 yards wide, often quite narrower. Starting out, the Meadowbrook Parkway was to my left. . .

. . . and East Meadow back yards were on my right.

Raccoon? tracks in the banks.

The community backyards to the east gave way to the fence of Mitchell Manor. The Manor had been US Military housing, now it's being privatized.

Approaching the first obstacle, Front Street. It crosses at that stone and concrete bridge.