By Mary Malloy
"The first chief on the scene came across the picnic area fully engulfed in fire," said Chief Hugh Howard. "I called the fire marshal as soon as possible for an arson investigation."
The picnic area, at the First Avenue entrance to the park, is adjacent to a roller-hockey rink and the children's playground and sprinklers. It was used by families for parties and barbecues. There were a half-dozen benches and a small barbecue pit.
As reported in the Aug. 3-9 issue of the Herald, nearby picnic tables and a urinal were also vandalized late last month. "Since last fall, we've been there three times for garbage pail and rubbish fires," said Howard. "There is no security there at night, so the vandals have free roam of the place."
"The engineers at the Nassau County Department of Public Works have informed us that the damaged shelter cannot be salvaged," said Jose Lopez, commissioner of the county's Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums. "Which leaves us with no other option but to demolish it and make plans for replacement." Lopez said that an initial estimate of the cost is approximately $50,000.
The children's section of the park remains open, but the damaged shelter is roped off for safety reasons.
According to Fire Marshal Supervisor Vincent McManus, the fire was incendiary, meaning there were no accidental or natural sources of ignition. "The fire was no accident," he said. The incident is currently under investigation by the fire marshal's office and the Nassau County Police Department.
Nassau County Legislator Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) said he is offering a $250 reward of his own money to anyone who can help identify the vandals. "I am hoping that this incentive may lead us to information about who did this," Toback said. "When I heard what had happened, I was upset, because something like this infringes upon the [residents'] quality of life."
"We enthusiastically support Legislator Toback's actions to apprehend the vandals," said Lopez, "and the Parks Department has requested an increased police presence at Bay Park. We look forward to working with the community to restore this neighborhood resource for the continued enjoyment of all Nassau County residents."
Trish Louw, who lives within blocks of the park and is a Bay Park Civic Association board member, said the board will match Toback's reward offer. "Our concern for the neighborhood is the lack of patrols in Bay Park," Louw said. "We've had other incidents in this park, and the vandalism has reached a crescendo."
Louw said that the gates are locked when the park is closed, but there is a pedestrian gate missing, so anyone can get through on foot. "We want the gate replaced, and the gates to the children's park and doors to restrooms secured," she said. "We want to keep our park beautiful." Louw said that the Civic Association wants 24-hour security patrols and every gate and restroom locked up at night.
Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino said that he and the residents who live near the park have been complaining for years that the park is not secure, and is an "accident waiting to happen." "This should be a wake-up call to the county parks department," said Santino. "This is beyond trespassing and making noise. It is now to the point where arson is suspected. People are going to get hurt."
He explained that anyone can get into the park from surrounding East and North boulevards just by walking in. "There needs to be a presence in the park every day, 24 hours a day," Santino said. "What the park needs is dedicated security in the overnight hours, either with the Parks Department's public safety department or with outside, independent patrols."
"We want the gate replaced," said Louw, "and the gates to the children's park and doors to restrooms secured. We want to keep our park beautiful."
Anyone with information about the fire can call the arson hotline at (516) 742-3219.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
