Parks that aren't parks: The "park" at East Hills (Brookhaven: renters, houses)

[Johninwestbury]

I know it's been a few years but I still see a major injustice to Long Islanders in the way the Village of East Hills runs it's new "park".
Village of East Hills

This park off Harbor Hill road lies at the top of the Harbor Hill moraine in the Village of East Hills, near Roslyn. It was once part of the US Air National Guard, until Nassau County and NY state helped negotiate a deal with the Federal Government to transfer ownership of the land to the Village of East Hills. While the village used their own money to purchase the land, money was spend on the state and county level for the negotiations.
This is one of the only parks on Long Island that I know of that is completely closed off for all except residents of the village it is owned by. Most parks only limit sporting activities (pools,etc) to residents, there are few that bar anyone from just walking around. Because of this, many Long Islanders are missing out on what must be a spectacular view from the top of an area of 15 acres of woodland. For those thinking about trying to sneak in, be warned, there is a guard at the front and the village of East Hills has no qualms about throwing anyone who is caught here in jail, thus tying up the justice system with needless cases. Perhaps calling it a Country Club is more appropriate.

[modmondays]

Originally Posted by Johninwestbury

I know it's been a few years but I still see a major injustice to Long Islanders in the way the Village of East Hills runs it's new "park".
Village of East Hills

This park off Harbor Hill road lies at the top of the Harbor Hill moraine in the Village of East Hills, near Roslyn. It was once part of the US Air National Guard, until Nassau County and NY state helped negotiate a deal with the Federal Government to transfer ownership of the land to the Village of East Hills. While the village used their own money to purchase the land, money was spend on the state and county level for the negotiations.
This is one of the only parks on Long Island that I know of that is completely closed off for all except residents of the village it is owned by. Most parks only limit sporting activities (pools,etc) to residents, there are few that bar anyone from just walking around. Because of this, many Long Islanders are missing out on what must be a spectacular view from the top of an area of 15 acres of woodland. For those thinking about trying to sneak in, be warned, there is a guard at the front and the village of East Hills has no qualms about throwing anyone who is caught here in jail, thus tying up the justice system with needless cases. Perhaps calling it a Country Club is more appropriate.

And its "exclusivity" is a main "selling point" for REA's that work the area. It does get rave reviews apparently from those in East Hills. (although nothing is selling in East Hills now and prices are starting to fall off the cliff there as well)

[sean sean sean sean]

If the village owns it I believe they have every right to keep it private. I'm fine with that, I don't wanna hear any complaining about taxes from East Hills residents though!!

[tomtatti]

I've lived in East Hills for 3 years now, a short walk from the park. The fact that it's only open to residents gives it more attention and mystique than it probably deserves. It's a nice park, and I use it often with my kids - but I've seen parks in other parts of Nassau that are much bigger and just as pleasant. It's really no big deal. Most days, my kids would rather ride over to the East Hills School playground. Non-residents make a big deal out it and it swells the heads of the residents (as if they weren't swelled enough). Oh, and it's not 'free'. My taxes topped $15k last year, and I have one of smallest houses in East Hills.

[Johninwestbury]

Is there actually any good views from the top of the hill? That's the only "mystique" for me...

[nancy thereader]

I suppose it's like Gramercy Park in Manhattan.

[tomtatti]

Honestly, I never notice the views when I'm in the park. It's sort of obscured by the woods. I think the view is probably more impressive at the top the Country Estates neigborhood. And you don't need a park pass to get in :-)

[Johninwestbury]

Sorry to bring this topic up again and bump the thread, but I still feel non-residents should have the right to go for a walk in this park. Most parks are open to the general public to walk around, even many village parks, such as those I have been to in the "ritzy" Hamptons. East Hills is the only place that I can think of where non-residents are not allowed to enter the park by any means to just walk around. Also renters in the village are also not allowed in the park! Nannies have to pay $120 for a pass! Sometimes I think there's much more going on, something that is much more controversial. East Hills thinks it's fine to open the community to non-white, poor people, many of which are illegals that do landscaping in the community, but just for work, they cannot share the facilities residents use. It's really a form of modern day slavery.
A village is a PUBLIC government body, and it's very controvertial treating village owned land as private, in my opinion.
It is very well in line to limit pools, tennis courts, playgrounds,etc to residents only. But paths and nature trails? Pretty soon I will see the foliage changing on those beautiful trees in the park, as I pass by on the bus, but I cannot go in and explore them.
Tell me how does it cost any money for me to walk on a path in the park? And why should be people be thrown in jail, just for trying to enjoy nature?

[twingles]

Originally Posted by Johninwestbury

East Hills and Garden City are the only 2 places that I can think of where non-residents are not allowed to enter the park by any means.
A village is a PUBLIC government body, and it's very controvertial treating village owned land as private, in my opinion.
It is very well in line to limit pools, tennis courts, playgrounds,etc to residents only. But paths and nature trails? Pretty soon I will see the foliage changing on those beautiful trees in the park, as I pass by on the bus, but I cannot go in and explore them.
Tell me how does it cost any money for me to walk on a path in the park? And why should be people be thrown in jail, just for trying to enjoy nature?

The parks in GC consist of playgrounds, a tennis court, a basketball court and a ballfield. That's it. No pretty flowers, exotic trees, hummingbirds fluttering, or songbirds singing on cue. Really, they are nothing special. They are supported by village taxes which ONLY RESIDENTS pay. I won't beyotch about my village taxes because the services I get in return are great. There is absolutely no reason anyone needs to use a GC village park when almost every town I drive thru has similar (and in some cases far superior) facilities. Additionally, GC provides, at no cost to the people who come to the park, the following: organized flag football in the fall, arts and craftsand organized games in the summer and a paid park attendant to keep an eye on things - free to the people who use the park BECAUSE THEY PAY FOR IT WITH THEIR TAXES. Yeah, I would have a problem if a busload of people looking for free babysitting showed up to take advantage of those things. People are asked to sign in with their address when they go to a park, or show ID proving they live in the village. I used to go to the park every single day and every single day I would be asked for ID or to sign in even though I was recognized. And no, nannies do not have to pay. No one has to pay. If you see a nice house and you sign in with that address because you are so desperate to use a park in GC, no one is going to challenge you.

The only air of exclusivity here is that which is perceived, as a pp said, it's all about "mystique". I can guarantee you, one trip to a GC village park and you'll be wondering why you bothered leaving Westbury.

[Johninwestbury]

Originally Posted by twingles

The parks in GC consist of playgrounds, a tennis court, a basketball court and a ballfield. They are supported by village taxes which ONLY RESIDENTS pay. I won't beyotch about my village taxes because the services I get in return are great. There is absolutely no reason anyone needs to use a GC village park when almost every town I drive thru has similar (and in some cases far superior) facilities. Additionally, GC provides, at no cost to the people who come to the park, the following: organized flag football in the fall, arts and craftsand organized games in the summer and a paid park attendant to keep an eye on things - free to the people who use the park BECAUSE THEY PAY FOR IT WITH THEIR TAXES.

The only air of exclusivity here is that which is perceived, as a pp said, it's all about "mystique". I can guarantee you, one trip to a GC village park and you'll be wondering why you bothered leaving Westbury.

Well those parks in GC dont have paths to walk on, so limiting them to residents makes more sense, but the Park at East Hills has nature paths, which dont cost much to maintain. Most villages which have paths in their parks, allow non-residents to walk around. I'm not taking issue with playgrounds, tennis courts, and pools being limited to residents, I am taking issue with paths being restricted.
People in towns and counties pay for parks in their taxes, yet I can go and walk around Firemans Park in Brookhaven Town, or Red Creek Park in Southampton with no problem. What makes East Hills so special?