In Massapequa, waterfront activities within easy reach
Visitors cross a bridge spanning the lake in the Massapequa Preserve, which has hiking and biking trails and fishing spots. Credit: Linda Rosier
THE SCOOP With a nature preserve and watefront parks, Massapequa offers residents plenty of spots to unwind. “It’s always been popular for its recreation and closeness to the beach and the Great South Bay,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, a third-generation resident of the hamlet who recalls childhood summers spent swimming, clamming, fishing, and enjoying the trails and parks.
The hamlet is home to the Tackapausha Nature Preserve, which shares its address with neighboring Seaford, and the 423-acre Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve, with a lake and ponds for fishing, and biking and hiking trails. John J. Burns Park next door in Massapequa Park faces the bay and has athletic fields, a boat ramp and free concerts in summer.
John J. Burns Park in Massapequa Park is on a canal off Great South Bay and has athletic fields, a boat ramp and free summer concerts. Credit: Linda Rosier
Massapequa is also the former home of Jerry Seinfeld and Alec Baldwin, both graduates of Massapequa High School.
Called Great Water Land by the Massapeag Indians, the hamlet lost its peaceful allure in 1653, when English Captain John Underhill, working at the behest of Dutch colonizers, led troops in an attack that killed 120 Native Americans in what was considered the only Indian battle on Long Island. The first white settlers, Freelove and Thomas Jones, owned 6,000 acres in the area, including the waterfront that would later become Jones Beach.
With the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road in 1867, the area soon developed into a resort, and over the next century gradually morphed into a suburban community.
Massapequa's All American Hamburger Drive In has been a community mainstay since 1963. Credit: Linda Rosier
Today’s business district is centered around Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road, with shops and restaurants that include the All American Hamburger Drive In, a mainstay since 1963.
Massapequa has been popular with city househunters looking for large homes near the water, said Frank Mann of Berkshire Hathaway, noting that waterfront homes require flood insurance, “which is not as expensive as people may think.”
Flood insurance for waterfront homes can range from $500 to $3,000 a year, depending on whether a home is elevated, said Ryan Ranellone, an agent with Signature Premier Properties.
The hamlet has an abundance of Colonials, ranches and split-level homes, with prices starting at about $500,000 and going up to $2 million-plus for an updated five-bedroom waterfront.
Massapequa Preserve is a watershed property with a lake, above, as well as streams, swamps and sandy-bog area for endangered plants. Credit: Linda Rosier
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
SALE PRICES Between Aug. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, there were 500 home sales with a median sale price of $605,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $315,000 and the high was $850,000. During that period a year earlier there were 500 home sales with a median sale price of $549,000. The price range was $273,000 to $730,000.
OTHER STATS
Town Oyster Bay
Area 3.56 square miles
ZIP code 11758
Population 21,355
Median age 43.3
Median household income $137,618
Median home value $665,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Massapequa $277
School districts, graduation rates Massapequa (96%), Plainedge (95%)
Parks Massapequa Preserve, Sunset Park
Library Massapequa, Plainedge
Hospitals St. Joseph Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center
Transit NICE Bus Routes 54, 55
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2020 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $2 million, this bayfront Colonial on East Shore Drive has panoramic water views. Credit: Mandalay Luxury Photography/Brian Ryner
$2 million
Set on the bay with panoramic water views, this 1966 Colonial with an open floor plan has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, radiant heated oak floors, a second-floor balcony and kitchen with high-end appliances. The 0.22-acre property has a large deck, pool, outdoor kitchen, firepit, pier with boat lift, bulkhead and whole-house generator. Taxes are $23,278. Ryan Ranellone, Signature Premier Properties, 631-368-6800.
Priced at $1.175 million, this Colonial on Exeter Road feautres a large porch with Trex decking. Credit: EPM Real Estate Photography
$1.175 million
This renovated 1950 Colonial with an open floor concept features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large front porch with Trex decking, kitchen with stainless steel appliances and maple cabinetry, primary suite with attached office, and natural gas. The fenced-in 0.18-acre lot has a brick patio, heated pool, and attached one-car garage. Taxes are $22,594. Lara Barra and Debra Carpluk, Keller Williams Realty Elite, 516-795-6900.
Priced at $825,000, this 1904 Victorian on Clocks Boulevard, set on Narraskatuck Creek off the bay, has new bulkhead. Credit: Berkshire Hathaway
$825,000
Built in 1904, this Victorian on a canal off Narraskatuck Creek off the bay has five bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms, a large front porch and a full unfinished basement. The 0.84-acre property has more than 100 feet of new bulkhead. Taxes are $9,343. Frank Mann and Laurie Mann, Berkshire Hathaway, 631-824-8484.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.55 million
Cabot Rd.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 3½
Built 1953
Lot size 0.28 acre
Taxes $25,914
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 92
$1.09 million
Sunset Rd.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3
Built 2022
Lot size 0.16 acre
Taxes TBD
+/- List price -$55,000
Days on market 68
$890,000
Frankel Rd.
Style Expanded Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1949
Lot size 0.35 acre
Taxes $19,908
+/- List price +$91,000
Days on market 75
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 100
Price range $549,000 to $2.1 million
Tax range $11,925 to $23,278
