March 5, 2019 - Wantagh, NY - Playgrounds, check. Bike paths, check. Mini-golf, pickleball, ice skating: check, check, check. Today, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Park Officials unveiled details of the County’s comprehensive Parks Revitalization Plan. With a total investment of $15 million, and many projects underway, the initiative aims to increase recreation options, revamp inadequate and deteriorating community spaces, park buildings, and dozens of dynamic amenities throughout several parks.
“With 6,000 acres of public park space countywide, our goal is to ensure that we’re making the most out of our substantial green spaces,” said County Executive Curran. “Park maintenance and enhancement is key to making Nassau a better place for people to live, work and play – It is a vital investment in the well-being of residents that will last for generations to come.”
Nassau County has developed a smarter investment strategy to implement this wide-ranging, comprehensive plan. To increase efficiency, the new approach consolidates and streamlines the Department of Public Work’s (DPW) efforts and projects that were originally scattered throughout the County’s capital plan. This initiative will allow the County to evaluate each construction strategy and each individual park for its own infrastructure and character to maximize each park’s recreation potential.
The plan focuses on restoring and transforming three major County parks including Centennial Park in Roosevelt, Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn, and Wantagh Park in Wantagh. The project also features plans for new and upgraded amenities at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Inwood Park in Inwood, Cedar Creek Park in Wantagh, Bay Park in East Rockaway, Cantiague Park in Hicksville, Cow Meadow Park in Freeport, and Nickerson Beach Park in Lido Beach.
“With concerts, summer camps, sports leagues, premier golf courses, marathons and more, Nassau County’s parks see over a million visitors annually,” said Curran. “By continuing to modernize our parks, we create viable destinations for entertainment and community, increasing tourism and spurring local economic activity.”
Nassau County’s Parks Revitalization projects include improvements outlined below.
Parkwide Makeovers Include:
- Centennial Park in Roosevelt - $3 Million Investment
- Upgrades: New playgrounds, updated spray park, addition of ¼ mile walking path with exercise stations, updated lighting, new fencing, new entrance gates, new benches and landscaping, and a mini pitch soccer field.
- Status: Bidding will be performed in 2019 for construction implementation in 2020.
- Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn - $3 Million Investment
- Upgrades: Improvements to the main building including concession; complete restoration of the public area at the old pond site; improvements to the pool deck and new spray pool; new paving throughout the park; new picnic area with shade structures; and new lighting.
- Status: Bidding will be performed in 2019 for construction implementation 2020.
- Projects Underway: Resurfacing of old courts; new fencing throughout the park; and updates to playgrounds including a new safety surface.
- Status: Construction is slated to be completed in time for the summer 2019 season.
- Wantagh Park in Wantagh - $1.5 Million Investment
- Upgrades: Redesign and implementation of a new butterfly garden including new pavement, ornamental fencing, landscaping, and shade structure with seating areas; upgrades to the North Playground with new safety surfaces, new equipment, new picnic area and shade structures; upgrades to the Marine Playground and court games area including resurfacing courts and adding new games such as pickleball and a new picnic area.
- Status: Construction is slated to begin this summer and be completed by 2020.
Park Building Renovations Include:
- Inwood Park in Inwood – Work is underway to restore the park’s administration building featuring the main office and restroom facilities which were damaged in a fire. The renovated building will be open and available for use in time for the summer 2019 season. The building houses the park’s staff and is also a comfort station for park users.
- Cedar Creek Park in Wantagh – The Police Athletic League building located in the park closed down after an electrical fire last summer. The County is working on a full renovation of the building to reopen the facility in time for the PAL’s summer programming. The renovated building will feature office space for PAL, storage for equipment and sports teams, as well as restroom facilities for park users.
- Bay Park in East Rockaway – The County is working to restore the park’s former administration building which will now be utilized for Nassau County’s Summer Recreation Program. The popular youth summer camp program currently operates in four parks. With this new facility the camp can expand to a new community and will now operate in a total of five parks.
Additional Projects & New Amenities:
- Inwood Park in Inwood – New Bulkhead and Boat Ramps – The County bid a $2.5 million-dollar project to reconstruct 500 linear feet of dilapidated bulkhead and boat ramps at the 16-acre waterfront park. The construction will include an ADA compliant kayak launch. The construction is slated to be complete and available for public use by the Spring of 2020.
- Eisenhower Park in East Meadow - Motor Parkway Trail Progress - DPW is embarking on the second phase of redeveloping portions of the Long Island Motor Parkway as the "Motor Parkway Trail" for new recreational uses. The $2.4 million-dollar project will be constructed with a State DOT grant. The Trail will provide an important recreational connection through Nassau County for hikers and bicyclists. Construction is slated to be completed this year.
- Eisenhower Park, Bay Park and Cantiague Park – Cricket – Cricket pitches are coming to several parks throughout the County. Cricket has a worldwide appeal. With a relatively small investment to create pitches in our parks, there is tremendous potential for the County to attract a new market, create new partnerships, and opportunities.
- Eisenhower Park in East Meadow – Golf Cart GPS - To enhance the golf experience at the Red Course at Eisenhower Park, the course’s golf carts have newly installed GPS navigation systems.
- Nickerson Beach Park in Lido Beach - New Pedestrian Crossovers - As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes their coastal protection project including sand replenishment and the building of dunes, Nassau County is constructing four new pedestrian crossovers to allow for access to the waterfront. The construction of the four new wooden walkways has already begun and will be completed by end of year, as work halts during Piping Plover season.
- Cow Meadow Park in Freeport - Nassau County and the Village of Freeport are working on a joint park improvement plan which includes refurbishing the marina, expanding the beach for village and county resident access, and renovating all the park’s fields and playgrounds.
- Cantiague Park in Hicksville – Night Golf – The Parks Department is exploring adding night golf to the recreation menu on weekend nights during the summer. The course will be lit by portable light towers.