$50MBond

In November 2006, Nassau County voters approved overwhelmingly a $100 million bond referendum, with the money earmarked for the preservation of open space, environmental improvements throughout the county, and park improvements. Previously, the bill had been approved by the County Legislature and signed by County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi.

In 2004, Nassau County voters approved a similar $50 million bond referendum. Of that total, $38 million has been spent to acquire a variety of properties or development rights that ensure the integrity of a property. The remaining $12 million has been set aside for improvements in parks and related projects.

“We are running out of open space in the county,” says Suozzi. “Development pressures on remaining land are significant. These funds will help us continue the county’s program to preserve open spaces, and protect the environment for generations to come,”

Under the 2004 act, the Suozzi-appointed Environmental Program Advisory Committee reviewed more than 260 proposals for funding and recommended 57 projects, including acquiring 186 acres of open space; preserving two working farms; improving parks throughout the county; cleaning up brownfields; and protecting waterways and wetlands. The Environmental Program Advisory Committee’s recommendations were in turn reviewed by the Nassau County Planning Commission and the Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee.

What follows is a listing of the properties acquired as of February 2008 using funding from the 2004 and 2006 Bond acts.

Boegner Estate in Old Westbury

In 2006, the County acquired 47 acres comprising several parcels on the “Boegner Estate,” for $6.2 million. The two properties are located in different areas of Old Westbury, but the largest one, at 35 acres, is adjacent to Old Westbury Gardens (to the south and west) and includes four separate contiguous plots with wooded and landscaped areas as well as a home and several other structures.

This parcel will be wrapped into the 160-acre Old Westbury Gardens property listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it will be managed by the foundation that runs Old Westbury Gardens. As described in a Nassau County staff summary, the Boegner estate “presents a unique opportunity to significantly expand Old Westbury Gardens.” The second parcel, of 12 landscaped and wooded acres, includes several structures (among them three barns) with Village of Old Westbury landmark status.

Located in Woodbury on Woodbury Road by Candor Drive, the Meyer’s Farm is one of the last remaining such properties in Nassau County. In 2006, the county acquired development rights for this 8.5-acre property for $4.3 million. The 8.5-acre property, irregular in shape, is utilized for farming and fully cultivated, except for the area surrounding the existing dwelling. The property includes a 2,440-square-foot home, a farm stand, several green houses and ancillary buildings.

The 34-acre Northwood Estate, acquired for $11 million, is contiguous to the beautiful and heavily wooded 197-acre Tiffany Creek Preserve, and thereby expands the size of that property, which includes hiking trails. The property is irregular in shape, comprising woods and meadows with gently rolling topography. The site stretches from Berry Hill Road to the west to Sandy Hill Road at the east. Tiffany Creek Preserve was itself cobbled together from parts of three former estates.

“Parkway Drive,” made up of 31 contiguous lots comprising 3 acres in Baldwin Harbor along Parkway Drive, was acquired for $4 million. The property fronts Baldwin Bay with additional water along canals on its east and west side. The total square footage is 120,440, with upland area of 91,862 square feet that could have been opened to development. The topography of the site is generally level and is wooded.

The Pulling Estate, acquired for $6.5 million, is located in Oyster Bay Cove and is approximately 16 acres. The property is rectangular in shape (though slightly irregular) with frontage on Yellow Coat Road and Route 25A. The site, a former farm, is partly wooded and part meadow and has gently rolling topography. Because the property was on the market and in danger of being lost to development, the County acted to make a purchase.

The County acquired 9 acres comprising Red Spring Woods for $4 million. The property is irregular in shape with frontage on Red Spring Lane and additional frontage on Valley Road. The site is entirely wooded with rolling topography and is one of the last remaining undeveloped residential parcels in the area.

The County acquired 25 of the 31 acres on this estate for $7.8 million. The property, located near Planting Fields Arboretum, consists of ponds, dense woods and open space; it also includes several trails.

County Acquires Properties Under 2004, 2006 Bond Acts

Boegner Estate in Old Westbury