Update- Sands Point Preserve

Last November, Chris Twarowsky, of the Long Island Press wrote a scathing column on the transgressions of the Friends of Sand Point Preserve.

http://longislandpress.com/2010/11/11/sands-point-preserve-is-being-destroyed-by-the-people-entrusted-to protect it.

It detailed the wanton destruction of the flora and fauna within the preserve. The article also included a quote from First Deputy County Executive Rob Walker who said:
“At the end of the day, come January 1st, I think we are very comfortable in essence of us taking back the maintenance of the facility. We've let that be known to the Friends group, not with a lot of fanfare—obviously they weren't too happy with that. But, we're prepared to take back the maintenance and operation.”

Well, Nassau County the time has come. The county funded Friends group is back trying to reengineer the preserve in violation of every known ordinance and condition concerning preserves. They, without the county's knowledge and permission, dug out a shallow well to feed a sprinkler system. No effort was made to determine if salt water could be drawn from this shoreline area which would ultimately kill any vegetation being watered. Now they have targeted the beautiful pond area of the preserve and intend to remove virtually all of the vegetation and natural habitat around it. Trees and shrubs have been marked for destruction.

When challenged by outraged environmentalists, the response was : "bull____!, this is all non-native stuff". They ignore the fact that when this property was privately owned, specific trees and shrubs were imported and planted to enhance the esthetics of the property. Once the land was turned over to Nassau County those plantings became "native" and are required to be maintained as is.

We are asking Nassau County to "throw the bums out" and immediately stop the desecration of the Sands Point Preserve.

Nassau Hub

One of our PARCnassau friends was kind enough to send us a copy of the Nassau Hub Study proposal and noted that this could be a problem if Mitchel Field Park were adversely affected.She is absolutely right!

We have no innate objection to intelligent development of the "Hub" area. Currently being bandied about are Casinos, Minor League Ball Parks, New Hockey Arena, Modern Transportation Facilities and high density housing. Even with the removal of the existing Coliseum that is a lot for the land currently available.

What does concern us is that a lot of parkland may be at risk in this mad dash to create "an economic engine that will solve all of the county's fiscal problems". In the study area are the following parklands: Eisenhower Park, Mitchel County Park and the Hempstead Plains Preserve. The history of Nassau County shows that when when a political advantage is to be had or a temporary fiscal windfall is possible, the value and sanctity of public parklands is conveniently ignored.

The current development proposal, minimally defined, will cost $400 Million. Cost who? Why the county taxpayers of course. The county is proposing to sell bonds to finance this "Public Private" partnership. Traditionally this meant the Private entities walk away smiling and the Public takes it in the neck. What will be the final cost of these bonds? No one ever mentions that.

When the county finally gets around to laying out the plan in detail, we must be assured that the parklands noted above will not be adversely affected in any way. Once they are lost, they will never come back. In addition we must learn what amount of debt we will be passing on to the future residents of Nassau vs. the Estimated Economic Benefit.

The county has promised to detail the plan well before the August referendum. When they do, examine it closely and submit a knowledgeable vote.

Bruce Piel
Chairman