By Jerry Burke
Large holes in the fence, sections drooping inward and rotting supports not only looked bad, but left the tracks open for just about anyone wanting to cross them. Combined with speeding trains and electrified tracks, some felt it was only a matter of time before the LIRR was forced into action due to an accident.
After a four-year battle, the West Hempstead Civic Association has finally received the news they have been fighting for: this June, the LIRR will begin to upgrade and revitalize the right-of-way, improving both safety and aesthetics along the tracks and around the train station proper.
The recent announcement by LIRR President Kenneth Bauer couldn't be sweeter for the WHCA. "Its been a long time coming," exclaimed WHCA President, Seth Bykofsky, who was instrumental in putting together the coalition of community and elected leaders to spearhead the project. "The residents of West Hempstead helped turn the wheels. The Civic Association added the squeak, and our elected representatives, who are to be applauded for their tireless efforts, provided the grease."
Bykofsky and the Civic had been joined in their fight by State Senators Dean Skelos and Kemp Hannon, Assemblyman Tom Alfano, Town Councilman Joseph Kearney, and County Legislator Vincent Muscarella. Together, they persuaded the Metropolitan Transit Authority to take a closer look at issues of safety, appearance and maintenance along the railroad's right-of-way.
According to Bykofsky, the battle actually started long before the WHCA's involvement, with individual resident logging complaints on an almost weekly basis.
Beginning this June, the twenty-week long plan calls for a green, 8-foot tall, steel fence to be installed along both Hempstead Gardens Drive and Mulberry Lane. Once completed, ivy will be planted along the fence line, which will run from the West Hempstead station to Eagle Avenue.
According to Bykofsky, additional low-maintenance plantings will also be considered after the new fencing is in place, and that Bauer assured residents that regular maintenance of the LIRR's facilities will be a top priority.
With a victory in hand, the Civic plans to tackle the lack of parking at the West Hempstead station. The station's lot holds only a handful of cars at present, with additional spaces available only either across the street or next to the Courtesy Hotel.
"The parking is inadequate, inconvenient, poorly maintained and unsafe," said Bykofsky. "We plan on working with the LIRR and Town officials to see if we can come up with some practical solutions." Access to and from the station, and the creation of sidewalks where none now exist, will also be on the table.
"We've taken the railroad to task," declared Bykofsky. "Our community's ride along the rails has only just begun."
