North Hempstead to take over, renovate Petrus Park
Alvan O Petrus Park, shuttered for years, is shown on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The dilapidated and vacant Alvan O. Petrus Park in Port Washington is set to be taken over and renovated by North Hempstead Town, after years of debate about its future.
The town will receive the property from the housing authority for free, and officials representing a financial partner that co-owns the property have signaled plans to approve the transfer, town officials said.
The town's plans to designate and maintain it as park space answers the demands of neighbors who opposed a proposed senior housing development on the 1.5-acre parcel.
Town spokeswoman Carole Trottere said the acquisition will be completed once the subdivision of the land from the adjacent Harbor Homes development is done. The town is reviewing 10 responses to a request for proposals for the project, she said.
A total of $500,000 has been allocated in the capital plan for the project.
"We're excited that we're going to finally have a park," said Stacy Brown, who recalled growing up at the adjacent development and bringing her now adult children to the property before it was closed. "We're very excited that renovations are going to begin soon and our kids are going to have a safe place where they can play and exercise."
The park has been a source of frustration for neighbors who have questioned why it was closed and opposed plans for a private senior housing development.
Housing authority executive director Sean Rainey, who took office in 2010, said the space was closed "in 2008, (and) the property manager erected a fence to secure the property."
A developer proposed a 48-unit senior apartment complex there in 2011, but that plan was withdrawn after community members railed against the proposal.
"It's a true test to community activism," said Dina De Giorgio, the councilwoman who represents Port Washington.
A plan struck in 2012 called for the town to take over the property but not own the land.
The town board approved a land transfer in December 2013, in which the housing authority was to agree not to build on the site for 20 years in exchange for property in New Cassel -- including the former Grand Street School site, where it still plans to build senior housing.
Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, who took office after officials devised the plan, said "to develop something on property that wasn't really ours . . . could mean in 20 years the land could be reclaimed for other use. I couldn't see how we could really devote funds for doing that. "
A recent tour of the property with town officials revealed some downed fencing. Green plants sprouted on the basketball court blacktop. Graffiti were painted on the backboards. Among the leaves: glass shards and empty beer containers.
Bosworth said the town is seeking suggestions from residents. Bosworth said she prefers the park to resemble more of "a mix of things than just be a basketball court."
"The potential for this being a great facility for people of all ages to enjoy is what we're striving for," Bosworth said.
Scott Eidler is a deputy editor for the towns department at Newsday. Scott has worked at Newsday since 2012 and previously covered municipal government and education.
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