Wantagh Park
Wantagh, 1 King Road, just south of Merrick Road
516-571-7460
On-site staff: Yes
Click here for Google map
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| A couple enjoys the beautiful water view at Wantagh Park. |
Wantagh Park, located in southeastern Nassau
County, has been part of the county park system
since 1961. Consisting of 111 acres, the park
provides a waterfront location and numerous opportunities for recreation, along with seating areas that allow visitors to relax and enjoy the magnificent view. Among the more unique events taking place at the park is the annual Basset Hound Olympics, which draws particpants from around the New York area.
In its 2010 "Best of L.I." survey, the Long Island Press has named Eisenhower Park and Wantagh Park among its top three parks on Long Island and the Eisenhower Park golf facility as No. 2 among public golf courses (see information below).
Athletics/Physical Activities::
- There are five tennis courts that are lighted in season (Leisure Pass and fee required);
- and one basketball court.
- Athletic fields include three softball fields and one baseball field, two of which are lighted (permits required).
- There are 1-mile and 2-mile walking paths
that can also be used for bicycle riding and jogging.
Fitness Trail:
- In the summer of 2008, the park introduced a two-mile Fitness Trail that provides a jogging or walking trail and 20 attractive and simple fitness stations that incorporate a variety of exercises. These include stretching, pull-ups, sit-ups and balance walking exercises that increase slightly in difficulty as the trail proceeds. The trail begins by the entrance to the park and winds around the park before ending by the marina. See "News & Events below for more information.
Family/Kids:
- A playground located at the north end of the park has apparatus appropriate for toddlers through teens.
- There are eight reserved (fee) picnic areas, which include barbecue equipment, and one sheltered area (permit required).
Leisure Pass and fee required for reserved areas
There is also a section available for small non-reserved picnic groups. See "News & Events" below for more information.
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| The large swimming complex offers a variety of different pools and activities for children and adults. |
Swimming:
- A swimming complex (fee required) includes an Olympic-sized main pool, a diving pool, a “kiddie” pool, training pool, an interactive water-play area and two
waterslides (30 foot).
In December 2006, the pool at Wantagh Park was named "Best Public Pool on Long Island " by Long Island Press, the weekly newspaper. The pool will open on June 29, 2009, and remains open through Labor Day.
- The pool complex includes various conveniences, including lockers, showers, a concession stand, and lounge and deck chairs.
- Hours: Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
- Fees (daily): resident adult, $7; resident child (4-17 years of age), $5; senior, disabled, vol. firefighter, ambulance corps auxiliary police, veterans, $3; non-resident adult , $20, non-resident child guest, $15. A Leisure Pass is required for residents to receive the resident rate.
Seasonal passes are also available for residents with Leisure Passes, with rates as follows: families ($225); individuals ($90); and seniors ($50).
Boating & fishing:
- Launch ramp permits are available seasonally or daily (fee required; permit obtainable at the Park Administration Office).
- A fishing pier just beyond the marina is open year-round,
weather permitting.
- Marine boat slips are also available.
Dog run:
- A dog run includes separate areas for big and small dogs; it is located just up from the administation building. Please note that dogs are not allowed in any County parks or preserves, with the exception of the dog runs.
Other:
- Bocci and horseshoe courts are available, along with a game area for chess and checkers and a senior citizen gazebo.
Directions:
Take the Southern State Parkway to Exit 27 South (Wantagh Parkway). Exit off the Wantagh Parkway at Sunrise Highway East. Make a right onto Wantagh Avenue. Take to the end and make right onto Merrick Road. At first light make a left into park.
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| Patrons at Wantagh enjoy the fishing pier just beyond the marina. |
County Parks Begin Accepting Picnic Reservations on February 1
Picnic reservations for the coming season may be made at Nassau County parks beginning Monday, February 1, 2010, announced Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. Reservations can be made for the following parks:
Reservations must be made in person at park locations, and a valid Leisure Pass and appropriate payment (fees depend upon group size) must be presented to obtain a confirmed reservation. Payment can be made by cash, check (made out to “Treasurer of Nassau County”) or credit card (at some locations). “Rain-or-shine” shelter areas are available at Cedar Creek Park, Rev. Arthur Mackey Sr. Park, Nickerson Beach Park and Wantagh Park.
County regulations require that 75% of all picnic participants be Nassau County residents. A special permit is required for the use of alcoholic beverages, and this permit must be purchased at least one week in advance of any reserved or unreserved picnic. To make catering arrangements, patrons must contact the park concessionaire, Dover Caterers, at 516-933-4444, ext. 12 or 16. Picnic reservations must be secured from the individual park before catering can be arranged.
In Survey, Long Island Press Touts Two Country Parks Among Top Three,
Eisenhower Golf No. 2 Among Public Courses
The Long Island Press has named Eisenhower Park and Wantagh Park among its top three parks on Long Island and the Eisenhower Park golf facility as No. 2 among public golf courses, announced Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. The rankings were provided by the weekly newspaper in its “Best of L.I.” survey for 2010, published in January. The comprehensive annual survey covers 215 categories and is based on voting by tens of thousands of the newspaper’s readers.
For Eisenhower Park, the second-place finish comes on the heels of being selected for the top spot in 2009. Wantagh Park placed right behind Eisenhower at No. 3 among Long Island’s best parks. In designating Jones Beach Park No. 1, the Long Island Press acknowledged the difficulty of selecting a top finisher. “There are so many great parks on Long Island that it’s really hard to pick the best one,” the newspaper said. “So let’s just consider this list the best of the best.”
Centrally located in East Meadow off Merrick Avenue and larger than Central Park, 930-acre Eisenhower Park (516-571-0348) is the flagship of the Nassau County parks system. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including a swimming pool and fitness center at the world-class Nassau County Aquatic Center (571-0501); mini-golf; a batting cage; athletic fields; playgrounds; a 2-mile fitness trail; basketball and tennis courts; bocci and lawn bowling; and the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. In addition, the park includes large and beautiful memorials to the nation’s veterans and victims of the 9/11 attacks.
There’s also the Eisenhower Park golf facility, one of the metropolitan area’s busiest courses and selected second-best in the Long Island Press survey of public golf courses. Golf at Eisenhower consists of three 18-hole courses –including the championship Red and White courses, along with the Blue course – as well as a driving range with 60 bays. During the winter, the White and Blue courses (571-0327/28) are open as weather allows, along with the driving range (571-0336).
Wantagh Park (571-7460), located off the Wantagh Parkway by Merrick Road, is one of the most scenic spots on the South Shore, offering 111 acres on beautiful East Bay. The park provides numerous opportunities for recreation, including ball fields and athletic courts, a playground, picnic areas, a two-mile fitness trail, a marina, and a fishing pier. During summer, Wantagh’s spectacular water theme park (previously named “Best Public Pool” by the Long Island Press) has an Olympic-sized main pool, a diving pool, a “kiddie” pool, training pool, an interactive water-play area and two 30-foot waterslides.
Nassau County Introduces New Fitness Trail in Wantagh Park
Nassau County has unveiled the Parks Department ’s third fitness trail, located in Wantagh Park. The 2-mile trail joins similar trails that have been installed during the past year at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow and Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn-North Hills.
The trail, which begins near the entrance to Wantagh Park and winds around the park before ending by the marina, provides 20 attractive and simple fitness stations that incorporate a variety of exercises, such as stretching, pull-ups, sit-ups and balance walking. Each station has posted instructions that include additional information, including target heart beat guide.
The cost of the stations was underwritten by the Nassau County Sports Commission and installation was done by volunteers from Deloitte Tax LLP on Long Island. The low-maintenance fitness stations are made of a mix of treated Southern yellow pine timbers and steel tubing.
