An oasis in East Rockaway

Stand up paddleboarding in the bay.

Mary Malloy/Herald

Bay Park is a small neighborhood consisting of approximately 500 homes, most of which are a stone’s throw away from a body of water. Many Nassau County residents know Bay Park for its golf course and sewer treatment plant, among other things, but one piece of Bay Park that often goes under the radar is its civic association.

The Bay Park Civic Association and Property Owner’s Association held its first meeting in June of 1927. Since then, it has been a staple in the community, there to serve residents whenever possible. Bay Park native Richard Brennan has been the president of the civic association for the past four years and said it’s a job he’s more than happy to have.

“For me it’s just trying to help people and keep the neighborhood clean and keep things running,” he said. “The first phone call is always to me with any kind of problem that pops up. It’s my area as well as it is anybody else’s.”

Brennan said his family has been a part of the civic association since its inception and he is proud to serve his hometown. He can remember in the 1930s when his grandfather, who lived with his family, would take the train into New York City each morning for work. His grandfather would simply look out the backdoor to see if the train had left Long Beach yet before he would head to the station. The area has changed since Brennan’s grandfather took the train to work in the 1930s, but Brennan himself is no stranger to handling problems in the 21st century.

“Whatever they’re having a problem with we try and help out in any way we can,” he said of residents and his fellow civic association board members. “Being a small organization we’re limited with what we can and can’t do. For the most part, people who have bought into the area find it very charming and they’re happy that landed here.”