Levy Preserve in Merrick closed until further notice

Residents looking to venture outside for some fresh air or exercise to escape self-quarantine will not be able to do so at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick, according to the Town of Hempstead's website. 

The preserve, "which is maintained and utilized by the Department of Sanitation, is now closed to the public by order of the Department of Health," the alert read. "Other town parks, which are maintained by the Department of Parks & Recreation, remain open."

Hempstead’s medical director Dr. David Neubert explained that "crowd capacity in the park exceeded the current state and federal guidelines for large gatherings," prompting the park's closure.

"Out of an abundance of caution, I as the town's medical director [asked] that the park be closed," he added. "We don't want a situation like what is being seen in Florida during spring break." 

The 52-acre park is located off the Meadowbrook Parkway. It encompasses three miles of hiking and jogging trails, 18 exercise stations and a 500-foot fishing pier into Merrick Bay.

Residents can visit hempsteadny.gov/preserves-and-nature-areas/norman-j-levy-park to stay posted on when the park will reopen.