Bethpage offers parks, proud aviation history and now, filmmaking

Boasting five golf courses, Bethpage is known internationally for its Black course, which has hosted PGA and U.S. Open championships, and is just one of the highlights of the public 600-acre Bethpage State Park, a sprawling green space with extensive cycling and hiking paths. Signs around the hamlet boast that it’s "The gateway to recreation."

For many years, the pride of Bethpage was Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., which set up in there in 1937 and became Long Island’s largest employer throughout the Cold War era. Grumman built the lunar module used by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in their 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, which today sits on the moon near a sign reading, "Made in Bethpage, New York," notes Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Lou Imbroto.

The former aircraft site is now home to Gold Coast Studios, a movie and television studio. Recent shoots there include "The Many Saints of Newark" and "Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens."

In September, the state formalized an agreement with Grumman’s successor, Northrop Grumman, to clean up the toxic plume of groundwater caused by the former operation. The plan includes $23.5 million for the Bethpage Water District, which was impacted by the plume.

The town recently unveiled a historical marker commemorating Swedetown, an area named for the many Scandinavian immigrants who settled there in the early 1900s. "More than a century later, many of the descendants of those same families are still here in Bethpage," says Imbroto.

Bethpage was once called Central Park, which resulted in mix-ups with Manhattan-bound mail. In 1936, five years after the Long Island State Park Commission purchased the estate of railroad executive Benjamin Yoakum and surrounding farmland, the hamlet was renamed Bethpage.

Home prices in Bethpage range from about $500,000 for two-bedrooms to more than $1 million for luxury homes, says Teri Catapano Black, owner of Century 21 Catapano Homes. Over the years, many residents have added to their homes, and today there is a large assortment of expanded split-levels and Colonials and some new luxury four- and five-bedroom houses.

Bethpage’s Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the smart growth organization Vision Long Island, is working to create a separate Bethpage business district to expedite zoning changes and approvals, says Don Schiavetta, chamber president.

"We just want to make Bethpage a more walkable, business-friendly area," Schiavetti says.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There is one co-op on the market, listed for $269,000.

SALE PRICES Between Aug. 31, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, there were 301 home sales with a median sale price of $575,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $306,000 and the high was $1.1 million. During that period a year earlier there were 196 home sales with a median sale price of $515,000. The price range was $270,000 to $930,000.

OTHER STATS

Town Oyster Bay

Area 3.6 square miles

ZIP code 11714

Population 16,658

Median age 45.2

Median household income $123,427

Median home value $600,000*

Monthly LIRR ticket from Bethpage $308

School districts, graduation rate Bethpage (95%), Farmingdale (95%), Hicksville (92%)

Parks Bethpage Community Park, Neighborhood Park

Libraries Bethpage, Farmingdale, Hicksville public libraries

Hospitals St. Joseph Hospital, Plainview Hospital

SOURCES: 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov *Based on 138 sales in the past six months, according to OneKey MLS

NOW ON THE MARKET

$849,999

This legal two-family home has two bedrooms and one bath, eat-in-kitchen, dining room, living room, gas heat and cooking on each level. The 1,900-square-foot home has a full, finished basement, large private yard, one car-garage, and driveway and street parking. A tenant is living in the upstairs unit. Taxes are $13,202. Barbara Ciminera, Century 21 Catapano Homes, 516-938-0021.

$635,000

At 1,800 square feet, this 1900 Colonial has three bedrooms, two baths, hardwood floors, solar panels and a large front porch. Recent updates include an open floor plan, new kitchen, bathrooms and heated-all season room. The 0.23 acre property has a fenced-in yard, deck and aboveground swimming pool. Taxes are $15,134. Allison Rosenbloom and Lenny Rosenfeld, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-681-2600.

$469,999

In walking distance to the train station, this 1,150-square-foot ranch built in 1950 has three bedrooms, one bathroom, hardwood floors and an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, quartz counters and quiet-close cabinets. Other updates include new siding, roof, electric, central air and chimney. Taxes are $13,766. Lori DeFilippis, Bon Anno Homes Real Estate, 516-420-8955.

RECENTLY SOLD

$890,000

Address Armon Dr.

Style Split-level

Bedrooms 4

Bathrooms 3½

Built 1955

Lot size 0.22 acre

Taxes $15,939

+/- list price -$9,9000

Days on market 144

$674,500

Address Edna Ave.

Style High ranch

Bedrooms 6

Bathrooms 3½

Built 1962

Lot size 0.16 acre

Taxes $11,150

+/- list price +$45,5000

Days on market 124

$495,000

Address Caroline St.

Style Ranch

Bedrooms 2

Bathrooms 1

Built 1951

Lot size 0.16 acre

Taxes $11,351

+/- list price +$46,000

Days on market 71 days

ON ONEKEY MLS

Number of listings 35

Price range $269,000 to $1.225 million

Tax range $5,631 to $22,764