It was an emotional day for Melinda Novak when she was allowed to reopen the Long Island Game Farm.

Her parents opened the park 50 years ago. The sprawling wildlife park, in eastern Suffolk County, is modeled after the old Catskill Game Farm upstate.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, they were forced to miss half of their season.

Now, crowd size is limited and social distancing rules apply, but the owners are just happy people can finally see their unique collection of animals.

And the animals are happy to finally be able to see people.

It's a unique spot on Long Island that's provided a little peace and calmness to generations of visitors - a peace many people are seeking right now in these turbulent times.

The Game Farm is in Manorville, right off Exit 70 of the Long Island Expressway.