Suozzi Proposes Acquisition of Seven Properties to Preserve Open Space

-108 Acres Will be Saved Using Proceeds From the $50 Million Environmental Bond Act

Old Westbury, NY – As part of an effort to preserve open space, clean up brownfields, and improve parks and water quality throughout Nassau County, County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today the proposed acquisition of seven properties totaling more than 107 acres to be funded through the $50 million Nassau County Environmental Program.

“These projects provide us with the best opportunity to preserve open spaces in Nassau County,” Suozzi said. “We are moving forward with our plan and we urge the County Legislature to act quickly to approve these acquisitions.”

Funding will come from $50 million in bonds approved by 77% of Nassau County voters in November 2004. The Environmental Program Advisory Committee, appointed by Suozzi, reviewed more than 260 proposals for the funds. The panel 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 reviewed by the Nassau County Planning Commission and the Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee. Other open space and environmental projects will be submitted to the legislature in the coming months.

The seven properties are the Pulling Estate and two parcels of the Northwood Estate in Oyster Bay Cove, Red Spring Woods in Glen Cove, Parkway Drive Properties in Baldwin, and two parcels of the Boegner Estate in Old Westbury.

"This mix of property includes the preservation of saltwater wetlands, freshwater wetlands and special groundwater protection areas. This is exactly the right mix and these are the reasons why the public voted overwhelmingly for the bond act," said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "I am thrilled that Nassau County has successfully negotiated the purchase of these meaningful and irreplaceable properties," Esposito added.

"Protecting these important open space parcels is one of the greatest things Nassau County can do for the healthy future of its residents,” said Lisa Ott, Executive Director of the North Shore Land Alliance. “With less than 10% of our open land left undeveloped, these properties, in the middle of the special groundwater protection area (SGPA) are critical to the quality and quantity of our drinking water. Many thanks to the voters, legislators and administration who have made this environmental program possible.”

The properties are:

• The Pulling Estate property is a 16-acre parcel with frontage on Yellow Coat Road and Route 25A in Oyster Bay Cove. The partly wooded, partly meadow property was purchased for $6.5 million.

• The Parkway Drive property is a 2.8 acre parcel on the Baldwin waterfront. The property is 31 lots fronting on Baldwin Bay with additional water along canals on the east and west and was purchased for $4 million.

• The Red Spring Woods property is a 9-acre parcel with frontage on Red Spring Lane and Valley Road in Glen Cove. The site is entirely wooded with rolling topography and is one of the last remaining undeveloped residential parcels in the area, and was purchased at a cost of $4 million.

• The Boegner Estate properties are divided into one 35-acre parcel, and one 12-acre parcel in Old Westbury. The larger parcel includes the estate and is adjacent to Old Westbury Gardens. The property is irregular in shape and includes both wooded and landscaped areas, and 9.7 acres encumbered by a conservation easement, and was purchased for $4.5 million. The smaller parcel includes several buildings, all with Village of Old Westbury Landmark designation. The property is irregular in shape and includes wooded and landscaped areas and is encumbered by a 7.4 acres conservation easement leaving 4.7 acres unrestricted. It was purchased for $1.665 million. The parcel adjacent to the Gardens will add more space the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Gardens encompass 160 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. “Old Westbury Gardens is one of the most popular public spaces in the county and our open space plan will help expand and preserve jewels like the Gardens for generations to come,” County Executive Suozzi said.