LI parks get $1.3 million from state

Ten state parks on Long Island are slated to receive a total of $1.35 million to build and renovate playgrounds as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's New York Works program.

The work, to be done by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, includes the building of new playgrounds at two parks, and the installation of new equipment at eight others.

The parks are:

Brentwood State Park, which will get a new soccer-themed playground.

Belmont Lake State Park, which will add a new bug theme to an existing playground.

Bethpage State Park, which will add a "woodland nature" theme to an existing playground.

Heckscher State Park, which will add a "wildlife" theme to an existing playground.

Hempstead Lake State Park, which add a "carousel" theme to an existing playground.

Hither Hills State Park, which will add a "sea and sand" theme at an existing playground.

Orient Beach, which will add a "maritime" theme to an existing playground.

Montauk Point State Park, which will add a new "surf and tides" theme to an existing playground.

Sunken Meadow State Park, which will add a new "animal habitats" theme playground.

Valley Stream State Park, which will get improvements to an existing playground.

"In light of the childhood obesity epidemic, this is a great opportunity that the governor has proposed to get our youth active again," Deputy Assembly Speaker Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead) said Thursday.

"It is important that children have a safe and engaging place to play, and these NY Works projects will give them just that in State Parks across New York," Cuomo said in a statement Thursday.

The governor's office said all the playgrounds will be accessible to people with disabilities and will have distinct areas for younger and older age groups.

The state said playground improvements will accompany other site improvements, including shade trees or canopies, seating, water fountains and paths.