Hall's Pond facelift set to start this summer

      To the delight of West Hempstead residents, Hall’s Pond Park will finally be getting a long-awaited makeover this summer.
    In about a year’s time, park visitors can expect to see new lighting, drinking fountains, walkways, trash receptacles, landscaping and fencing. They’ll see a new facade on the footbridge, a new gazebo and a brand new amphitheater, which will be built in a wooded area of the park for student research. They might even get to see the bottom of the pond itself, thanks to a new water filtration system and catch basin that will keep debris out of the water and improve its circulation.
    West Hempstead has been waiting for the $853,000 renovation since 2005, when the Nassau County Environmental Bond Act Committee announced that Hall’s Pond was one of 18 parks throughout the county that had been selected for rehabilitation. “It was well worth the wait,” said Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Community Support Association.
    County Legislator Vincent Muscarella (R-Garden City) announced the news during the association’s June 16 meeting, praising the efforts of all who worked to make the project a reality.
    “I think that the renovation of Hall’s Pond Park has been, really, a community effort jointly between the civic association, the residents and county government to finally restore what is really an absolutely magnificent asset that the community has,” Muscarella recently told the Herald.

    A West Hempstead resident himself, Muscarella saw firsthand the deterioration of Hall’s Pond throughout the years. That the project is finally under way is due in large part to Norton and the association, he said.
    Shortly after county taxpayers voted in 2004 to approve the creation of a $50 million bond act — intended for the improvement of open spaces, parks and storm-water drains — Norton, on behalf of her organization, put together an extensive application nominating Hall’s Pond for rehabilitation. The 35-page application included thoroughly detailed explanations and photographs documenting the park’s problems and needs, as well as letters and signatures Norton collected from supporters.
    “The renovations to Hall’s Pond Park were ... essential to make the park more attractive and safer for everyone,” Norton said. “When I became president of the West Hempstead Civic, it was one of four goals which the community had identified as needing to be improved. It became one of my personal goals to see the park become a true asset to the community.”
    Norton’s work paid off. The bond act committee agreed to provide $270,000 for park renovations, and after touring it, decided it was also eligible for $140,000 in storm-water drain improvements. Seeing a dire need at Hall’s Pond, the committee also recommended that the county match the bond act funds. The county Legislature agreed to provide an additional $300,000 for the park’s facelift and repairs, and $140,000 for the drain rehabilitation.
    “The park is situated in virtually the middle of our community,” Norton said. “It is unique and, although it is considered by Nassau County to be a passive park, it is far from passive, with all of the community activities which are scheduled throughout the year.”
    Although construction is not set to begin until July 6, Norton is already anticipating the project’s completion six to eight months from now. “We can’t wait for the grand opening,” she said, adding that the contractor, J. Barwick Landscape & Site Developer, is also apparently eager to get started. According to Norton, the company plans to begin doing preliminary work — bringing in equipment and erecting protective fencing — in the coming week. The contractor also plans to lower the pond’s water level to begin branch and debris removal.
    With the renovations and improvements, Hall’s Pond will become a recreation destination, Norton said. “The park will reflect the charm and character of our residential neighborhoods,” she said. “Very few communities can boast of having a park the caliber of Hall’s Pond Park.”

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