A college, a county, a plan

Officials from Molloy College in Rockville Centre and the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums invited members of the public to East Rockaway High School on Feb. 17 to get their feedback on the county and college’s joint proposed upgrades to the athletic fields in Bay Park.

The county assured residents that East Rockaway youth will also be able to use the fields, and that homeowners’ property values will increase because the newly renovated sports complex will be a “showcase” and an asset to the community. More than 150 people attended the meeting, and many asked questions about traffic, field use, safety and the park’s dog run.

Sitting on the dais were Carnell T. Fosky, commissioner of the parks department; Deputy Commissioner Bob Dwyer; Molloy’s vice president for advancement, Edward J. Thompson; and Kevin McAndrew of Cameron Engineering, the firm that created the plan and conducted a traffic study as part of the project.

“I was skeptical at first,” Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) told the audience. “I felt it would only be useful if the residents have access to it. My job is to represent you. I don’t live here in Bay Park [so] I depend on you to tell me what to do.” Kopel’s 7th Legislative District includes Bay Park.

“Everybody’s a little nervous here,” said one man, addressing his remarks to county officials, “because we have all sat here and [were] shown great slides before, and we’ve been lied to before … I personally have more trust in Molloy College than I do in the county. This is the start of possibly something great happening, if you realize that you are becoming part of this community … if you listen to our needs and follow through with the promises.”

The man said he hopes the county and the college will not only keep the fields clean, but pay more attention to the entire park. “It has deteriorated pretty badly,” he said.