East Rockaway, quiet during COVID, has projects underway
Hewlett Point Park in East Rockaway Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
THE SCOOP
A small boating and beachfront community in southern Nassau County, East Rockaway is a hidden gem. "Not too many people know about it," says Ed McNulty of Ed McNulty Realty, a lifelong resident of East Rockaway, which comprises the Village of East Rockaway and Bay Park. "We’re dwarfed by Lynbrook, Rockville Centre and Oceanside. And a lot of times there’s confusion between Far Rockaway and East Rockaway." The communities are actually miles apart: Far Rockaway is west of Lawrence, in Queens.
Scranton Avenue in East Rockaway Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Activity in the village, "normally a vibrant community," has been quiet because of COVID, says Mayor Bruno Romano. A bright spot on the horizon is the plan to convert the old East Rockaway National Bank & Trust Company on Main Street into The Strongbox Theatre, Romano says. One of the community’s most popular events is the annual Huckleberry Frolic, a spring fair complete with a parade, food and entertainment.
Completed in the summer, an upgrade to the sewage treatment plant in Bay Park in the form of a $19.6 million biological nutrient removal system has stopped the daily deposit of 2½ tons of noxious nitrogen into Reynolds Channel, according to an earlier report in Newsday. The long-in-coming fix will improve water quality and help restore marshlands.
The word Rockaway derives from the name of the Indian tribe Rockawanahaha, which means "people of a sandy place," according to Newsday archives. The town was first named Near Rockaway because it was the closest community to Hempstead on the Rockaway Peninsula. The name changed to East Rockaway in 1869.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS
There are two condos and five co-ops on the market ranging in price from $145,000 to $675,000.
SALE PRICES
Between Nov. 30, 2019, and Dec. 1, 2020, there were 105 home sales with a median sale price of $550,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $150,000 and the high was $995,000. During that period a year earlier, there were 108 home sales with a median sale price of $497,000. The price range was $85,000 to $1,310,000.
OTHER STATS FOR ZIP 11518
Town Hempstead
Area square miles Village 1, Bay Park 0.5
Population 10,101
Median age 41.2
Median household income $100,082
Median home value $559,000*
Monthly LIRR ticket $308
School districts East Rockaway, Lynbrook and Malverne
Graduation rate East Rockaway 93%, Lynbrook 96%, Malverne 93% (NYS average 83%)
Parks Memorial Park, four pocket parks
Library East Rockaway Public Library
Hospitals Mount Sinai South Nassau, Mercy Medical Center, Long Island Jewish Valley Stream
Transit Nassau Inter-County Express bus lines n4, 25, 31/32
SOURCES: 2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; OneKey MLS; LIRR, moovitapp.com
*Based on 63 sales in the past six months, according to OneKey MLS
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $1,250,000, this four-bedroom, 3½-bathroom split-level on Emmett Avenue in East Rockaway was rebuilt in 2010. Credit: Tour Factory/Steven Bababekov
$1,250,000
Rebuilt in 2010, this canalfront four-bedroom, 3½-bathroom split-level home is in the Waverly Park area. The living room, dining room, kitchen and family room are part of an open layout with soaring ceilings and glossy hardwood floors. The backyard includes 110 feet of bulkheading, a pool, deck, kitchen and living room. Taxes are $28,910 but they are being grieved. Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-623-4500.
Priced at $689,000, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom split-level on Arden Road in East Rockaway has a water view. Credit: Lisa Dawn Romano
$689,000
Offering a water view, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom split-level has undergone renovation resulting in a new eat-in kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a sparkly backsplash. Sliding glass doors in the eat-in area lead to a large deck. There are hardwood floors throughout, except in the kitchen, bathrooms and full finished basement. The master bedroom has its own bathroom and double closets. A ductless HVAC system cools and heats the home. Taxes are $16,149. Persephone Small, Coldwell Banker Realty, 516-809-1000.
Priced at $345,000, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch on Sperry Street West in East Rockaway comes with docking rights. Credit: JoAnn Passalacqua
$345,000
On the market since only Nov. 2, this two-bedroom, one-bath ranch comes with beach and docking rights, a water view and a large detached garage. The home was renovated and is located on a dead-end street. Taxes are $9,697. JoAnn Passalacqua, Shane’s Anchor Realty, 516-783-4540.
RECENTLY SOLD
$822,500
Address Judith Court
Style Split level
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1960
Lot size 0.15 acre
Taxes $19,000
+/- list price -$52,500
Days on market 98
$559,000
Address Court Street
Style Cape
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2½
Built 2014
Lot size 0.14 acre
Taxes $11,264
+/- list price $0
Days on market 99
$358,000
Address Dewey Street East
Style Bungalow
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1
Built 1924
Lot size 0.09 acre
Taxes $10,740
+/- list price +$18,000
Days on market 87
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 31
Price range $145,000 to $1,250,000
Tax range $8,127 to $28,910
