It’s official: Cow Meadow Park belongs to Freeport

Surrounded by village, county and state dignitaries, Mayor Robert Kennedy cut the red ribbon on Feb. 18 that symbolized the transfer of ownership of Cow Meadow Park from Nassau County to the Incorporated Village of Freeport.

“A special thanks to Senator John Brooks, Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin for walking this legislation through both houses in Albany,” Kennedy said before cutting the ribbon. He also thanked the Nassau County Legislature, especially Legislator Steve Rhoads, a Republican from Bellmore, who represents part of Freeport, and County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who executed the transfer of title within a few weeks after being elected.

A frigid wind whipped women’s hair around their faces and men’s slacks around their legs, though the day was sunny. A golden retriever named Murray stood beside Kennedy, barking intermittently during Kennedy’s speech, while Freeport Recreation Director Victoria Dinielli held his leash. Murray barked loudest when Kennedy listed a dog run among the projected improvements planned by the village (see Box 1).

Rhoads said, “The Village of Freeport is in the best position to be able to transform and help this park realize the full potential of its 36 acres. … With Mayor Kennedy’s vision, this is going to be a beautiful spot for the residents of the Village of Freeport to enjoy for many, many years to come. And with that, I would like to take a moment to ceremonially turn over the key.”

Rhoads held a very ordinary-sized key high for all to see, shook hands with Kennedy, and grandly gave him the key, accompanied by laughter and applause.

Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, a Democrat from Hempstead, who sponsored the bill for the land transfer in the New York State Legislature, and co-sponsor Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, a Democrat from Rockville Centre, both spoke their thanks to Kennedy for his persistence across at least a decade, trying to effect the transfer. Their words were echoed by Michael Reed, spokesperson for Democratic State Sen. John Brooks.

Freeport Chamber of Commerce President Ben Jackson remembered when Cow Meadow Park was under construction. “I remember having dirt bomb fights right where we’re standing,” Jackson said. “I’d like to extend my thanks to everybody involved in making this happen, especially Mayor Kennedy, and he did it without raising our taxes!”

Addressing questions about safety, Kennedy said, “Unfortunately, when the park was operated by Nassau County, the First Precinct would have to respond, and it was very hard for them to get over here when they were out on other jobs. Now that the Village of Freeport police are dedicated to patrolling this area, I’d say there will be a Freeport officer here 90 percent of the time.”

Freeport Police Chief Michael Smith added, “We plan on increasing security cameras, lighting, sensing and patrols throughout the park. The residents will feel a substantial increase in police presence.”

When asked where the $2.5 million would come from in the village budget, Kennedy responded, “This administration had $1.2 million nine years ago. We now have $24 million in our reserves ... and we haven’t had a tax increase in nine years. We’re going to continue that policy and we’re going to use some of our reserve money to do these developments.”

Construction on the renovations will start the week of Feb. 28, and will be handled in sections, so the park will at no point be closed completely. The majority of the work, Kennedy said, should be finished by midsummer.

“We’re going to do these renovations,” said Kennedy, “and make this the best park in Nassau County.”