North Hempstead to appraise former park

The North Hempstead Town Board voted Tuesday to take the first step toward purchasing a vacant parcel of land in Port Washington that was formerly a park used by residents of adjacent public housing.

The town plans to spend $4,000 to appraise the 1.5-acre Alvan O. Petrus Park, next to the Harbor Homes development at Port Washington Boulevard and Harbor Road. The parcel was closed off two years ago after its owner, the North Hempstead Housing Authority, made plans to develop the site.

Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, who put forward the measure, said appraising the property is the first step before the town can consider buying and restoring it as a park.

De Giorgio told the audience she had been working with the town and housing authority for months to come up with a solution.

"I obviously think it should be a park," De Giorgio said. "That's my goal, and I'm going to try to achieve that. Getting the appraisal is the first step."

De Giorgio said the housing authority was willing to consider selling the property to the town. Housing authority officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Wandell Thomas, president of the Hands of Change Civic Association, which has been working on the issue, said at Tuesday's meeting that her group had obtained about 600 signatures on a petition drive to restore the park.

Dave Franklin, commissioner of the Port Washington Police District, told the board the park was needed to allow the area's children a place to play.

"Kids play in the street, but that's not good," Franklin said. "We have an oasis there that we can take advantage of."

A study commissioned by the town found that it would cost about $2.25 million to construct a public park at the site, with sewer lines, bathrooms, parking, grading and other improvements.