Nassau Parks to Get Facelift for Summer

Twenty one of Nassau County’s 70 parks, preserves, museums, historic properties and athletic facilities will see a combined total of $15 million worth of improvements this summer.

A youngster enjoys the climbing apparatus at the newly renovated main playground area (NC)

Improvements include new playgrounds, a soccer field, the renovation of two baseball fields and the creation of a new water trail for kayaks and canoes.

“Our parks are intended to offer relief, relaxation and fun to residents who are facing increased stress from a poor economy and high taxes,” Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said. “With more and more people staying close to home, a ‘staycation’ right here in Nassau County is a great way to spend the summer.”

At the county’s biggest park, Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, the “No Child Left Inside” project includes a $1.1 million fully accessible playground for children with disabilities, which is sponsored in part by “Let the Children Play Foundation.”

The largest job is a nearly completed $8 million storm water management project at Massapequa Preserve augmenting the stream flow in addition to new benches, lighting and improved hiking trails. The purpose of the water project is twofold: to allow the stream to flow more consistently during dry weather; and provide colder water to the stream in an effort to provide habitat for trout.

A $3 million project aims to construct a second multi-sport artificial turf field with lighting and seating at Cantiague Park in Hicksville in addition to new boards and lighting at the skating rink.

Roslyn Grist Mill is getting a $2 million facelift, a complete restoration and reconstruction of the neglected park, which includes replacement of missing equipment, foundation, woodwork, windows and exterior work. The nearby historic property of William Cullen Bryant, American author and poet, Cedarmere, is undergoing a $1.7 million renovation as well.

The county is also undertaking a $1.3 million project to clean up Hall’s Pond in West Hempstead and a $1.1 million project at Sands Point Preserve to replace windows at historic Hempstead House.

Smaller projects include $50,000 water trail for kayaking and canoeing on the South Shore, a $400,000 project to enhance the Hempstead Plains, a $320,000 project in Floral Park involving a popular local bird sanctuary as well as a new nautical-themed playground being constructed by the cabana and pool area on the west end of Nickerson Beach Park in Lido.

For more information on Nassau County’s parks, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/index.html or call 516-572-0200.

By Siobhan Cassidy