13 October 2009

Suozzi Announces Funding For Renovation Of Stannards Brook Park

$880,000 to Beautify and Remediate Drainage Problems at Port Washington Park

PORT WASHINGTON, NY –Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi on October 13 announced the $840,000 renovation of Stannards Brook Park, a wooded and narrow 3-acre neighborhood park in Port Washington located near Manhasset Bay.

The work will be paid for with $440,000 in funds from the Nassau County Environmental Bond Act and a $400,000 grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The renovation will involve aesthetic improvements and drainage remediation.

“The Environmental Bond Act, which was supported overwhelmingly by residents, is allowing us to enhance the quality of life throughout Nassau County,” said Suozzi. “Stannards Brook is another example of a targeted Bond Act project that will be good for our environment and the lives of residents in the surrounding community.”

As is the case with a number of the small “passive parks” managed by Nassau County, Stannards Brook Park was originally acquired (in 1944) for drainage purposes, with storm-water feeding into Manhasset Bay. The park, located by Carltun Avenue and Charles Street, is bisected by a winding brook and includes a trail for strolling as well as several benches and three bridges that span the brook to connect to residential streets on the east side of the park. The park is part of the New York State Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat in Manhasset Bay and serves as a bird sanctuary.

Renovation work, planned for early spring in 2010, will include new entrances with pergolas, as well as new lighting, fencing, guard rails, bridges, pathways, and benches. In addition, new wetland and upland landscaping materials will be planted and educational features added. The existing stream channel will also be realigned and the culverts modified to reduce flooding. The Town of North Hempstead will assist with improvements to the drainage system.

The County has been joined in the effort to renovate the park by the Port Washington Parks Conservancy and the Friends of Stannards Brook Park, which developed the master plan for the property.