NORTH HEMPSTEAD BEACH PARK MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY DESIGN CHARRETTE Supervisor Judi Bosworth Viviana L. Russell Peter J. Zuckerman Angelo P. Ferrara Anna M. Kaplan Lee R. Seeman Dina M. De Giorgio
VISIONING FOR NORTH HEMPSTEAD BEACH PARK The Town of North Hempstead has made a commitment to the revitalization of North Hempstead Beach Park and the 200 acre natural area across West Shore Road. As important recreational and environmental resources, the park and wooded areas will provide Town residents with new opportunities for active and passive recreation, play and water-dependent activities, event space, dining options, and natural area appreciation, protection, and interpretation. Three community visioning workshops were conducted in January, 2017 at various locations capturing the ideas of a great many attendees; however, opportunities for comment will continue throughout the master planning process. To participate, simply read and review the materials and click anywhere to add your comment. Your comments will be reviewed and compiled in conjunction with the workshop comments by QRP throughout the comment period and used to determine the final program elements for the Park master plan. Results of the Visioning workshop and comment period will be posted on this site once they are complied. Further programming and design documents will be posted for public input throughout the design process to provide Town residents with opportunities to participate in the shaping of their parks future. The workshop presentation is included here for your further review and comment and managed by the master plan designers, Quennell Rothschild & Partners (QRP), on behalf of the Town of North Hempstead. 2
NORTH HEMPSTEAD BEACH PARK AND NATURAL AREA AERIAL VIEW HARBOR LINKS GOLF COURSE AERODROME NORTH HEMPSTEAD COUNTRY CLUB 200 ACRE NATURAL AREA HARBOR LINKS GOLF COURSE Shoreline Trail West Shore Road NORTH HEMPSTEAD BEACH PARK HEMPSTEAD HARBOR NTS N THE SITES The site is comprised of two open space areas that run north/south along both sides of West Shore Road in Port Washington. The 90-acre area known as North Hempstead Beach Park (NHBP) includes the older Bar Beach Park on the southern end and Hempstead Harbor Park, developed at a later date. NHBP is the northern terminus of the new shoreline trail. The park contains a continuous esplanade, swimming beach, fishing piers, boat ramp, picnic facilities, playgrounds, basketball & handball courts, numerous walkways and abundant parking areas. Hempstead Harbor is home to recreational motorized boating, several rowing programs, swimming, fishing, shoreline and shellfish restoration projects. Harborfront uses across from the site include the recently closed Glenwood Landing Power Plant, a boat basin, marine yard and a park. Site uses directly south of the park include 1.25 miles of shoreline trails and restored salt marsh. Directly north of the site is a municipal vehicle yard and a Tilcon operation. On the west side of West Shore Road is the 200 acre natural area, a wooded parcel with a closed landfill. The cleared area to the north is the home of the Aerodrome. The woodland area boasts diverse plant and animal species, wetlands, ponds, and geological rarities. The site is not currently open to the public. 3
NORTH HEMPSTEAD BEACH PARK PONDS & MARSHY AREA 200 ACRE NATURE AREA W SHORE RD W SHORE RD BOAT LAUNCH PIER & BOAT LAUNCH a b 2 8 PARKING 7 1 7 8 SWIMMING BEACH 6 9 e f g h PIER ESPLANADE The former Bar Beach at the southern end of the park provides access to the park through a staffed booth entrance, and a separate entrance for boat or rowing users. The park features a rowing building, rowing and public boat launches, maintenance buildings, parking areas, main lifeguard and concessions building, covered pavilions, a playground, green space, a pier, basketball and bocce courts, and a continuous concrete esplanade along a wide swimming beach. A fence divides this area from the former Hempstead Harbor Park area. North of the fence lighted handball and basketball courts, a second playground and volleyball area surround a defunct mini-golf course. A wooded picnic hill and restroom overlook the courts. e d e a b e 1 e BEACH 1 Bar Beach Area c ESPLANADE e e 3 4 HEMPSTEAD HARBOR PARKING ESPLANADE EXISTING USES LEGEND Esplanade Park Paths Plaza Picnic Area Playground 6 PIER 8 Fields & Courts Amphitheater Brick Planters Shade Structure Park Building SCHOOL BUS PARKING A large concrete amphitheater and renovated ballfields are sited behind a widened esplanade. Parking areas, a second staffed entrance booth, a pier and restrooms provide the only features along the concrete esplanade in the northern third of the site. 5 The playgrounds, some courts, furnishings and paving are deteriorated. Hurricane Sandy caused many trees removals. There is significant flooding and erosion at the southern parking area and substantial beach erosion at the north end undermining the esplanade. Also at the north end, pier renovation, a new boat house and the removal of the school bus parking will add new opportunities. 7 8 Lawn Wetland Nature Area Vegetation Existing Trees KEY 1 Restroom 2 Restroom, Concession & Lifeguard Station 3 Concession 4 Restroom & Park Office 5 Concession & Restroom 6 Ticket Booth 7 Maintenance, Service Storage Buildings 8 Rowing Boat Storage 9 Garage a Picnic Area b Playground c Amphitheater d Mini Golf e Fields & Courts f Horseshoe g Bocce h Shuffleboard PONDS & MARSHY AREA 200 ACRE NATURE AREA W SHORE RD W SHORE RD NEW BOATHOUSE BOAT LAUNCH PARKING (FLOODS) PARKING PICNIC AREA RENOVATED BALLFIELDS PARKING SCHOOL BUS PARKING ERODED SHORELINE ESPLANADE SWIMMING BEACH FENCE DIVIDING THE PARK Bar Beach Area ESPLANADE BEACH ERODED BEACH GOOD HARBOR VIEWS DETERIORATED PIER TO BE REPLACED DENUDED PICNIC AREA OUTDATED PLAY AREA DETERIORATED FISHING PIER EXISTING SITE ANALYSIS LEGEND Major Park Entrance Esplanade Pedestrian Circulation Park Paths Vehicular Circulation Plaza Fence Picnic Area Erosion Playground Fields & Courts Amphitheater Brick Planters Shade Structure Park Building Lawn Wetland Nature Area Vegetation Existing Trees 4
Existing Site Images: Bar Beach Area 4 3 2 1 PHOTO LOCATION PLAN NTS N 1 - Fishing pier and picnic area 2 - Picnic area 3 - Playground 4 - Parking lot 5
Existing Site Images: Bar Beach Area 3 4 2 1 PHOTO LOCATION PLAN NTS N 1 - Concession 2 - Esplanade and pavilions 3 - Lawn 4 - Basketball courts 6
Existing Site Images: Central Area 3 4 1 2 PHOTO LOCATION PLAN NTS N 1 - Esplanade 2 - Amphitheater 3 - Picnic area 4 - Mini golf 7
Existing Site Images: Central and Northern Area 1 4 2 3 PHOTO LOCATION PLAN NTS N 1 - Ballfields 2 - Esplanade 3 - Restroom & shade structures at fishing pier 4 - Parking lot 8
Existing Site Images: Shoreline Conditions 3 1 2 4 PHOTO LOCATION PLAN NTS N 1 - Parking lot flooding 2 - Beach erosion 3 - Beach erosion 4 - Swimming beach 9
200 ACRE NATURE AREA W SHORE RD HARBOR VIEW PONDS & MARSHY AREA AERODROME TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD SHORE ROAD YARD EXISTING USES AT NATURE AREA W SHORE RD The 200 acre natural area parcel, which includes a 28 acre linear parcel along West Shore Road, is a unique ecological resource. Regenerated by nature from the remains of 19th century sand mining operations along West Shore Road, the parcel contains a wealth of environmental habitats, plant and animal communities. In some areas, the sand mining operation left exposed Craetaceous era sediments, rocks, and geological formation. N LEGEND WETLAND NATURE AREA LAWN ATV vehicle use is damaging many fragile habitats and is not permitted. Protection of this area is of paramount importance to the Town. Planning for this area will look to balance the needs of visitors and focus on education and preservation of the natural area. Woodland Wetland Wildlife 10
NORTH HEMPSTEAD COMMUNITY The Town of North Hempstead provides many diverse activities and year-round events for their engaged and active community. The park plays host to cultural festivals, food festivals, sporting events and competitions, fundraising events, Fourth of July fireworks, classes, senior days, kids days, music, movies and much more. 70 During the summer of 2016, a questionnaire was distributed at Funday Monday and Kidstock events asking residents to describe their current use of North Hempstead Beach Park and provide their wish list of elements that might go into a park renovation. Over 200 responses were tabulated and the resulting data below shows which activities they currently enjoy and which activities they would most like to see incorporated into a new park master plan. 60 50 40 CURRENT ACTIVITIES CHART The most popular current activities were: Concerts/ Performances Walking/ Strolling Viewing the water Memorial Day Fireworks Funday Monday Beach Activities Festivals/ Carnivals Swimming/Wading 30 20 10 0 Concerts/ Performances 70 Viewing the water Funday Monday Festivals/Carnivals Walking/Strolling Memorial Day fireworks Beach activities Swimming/Wading Picnic/BBQ Playgrounds Fishing Movies Dog walking Bocce Soccer/Football Volleyball Sailing/Kayaking/Rowing Boat launch Sporting events Running Baseball Basketball Handball Shuffleboard 60 50 40 NEW ACTIVITIES CHART The most popular new activities were: Food/ Concessions Water play Saltwater pool More for kids More for seniors Walking Paths 30 20 10 0 Food/Concessions Saltwater pool More for seniors Water play More for kids Walking paths Bike paths/amenities Natural landscape trails Performance area Adult fitness Ice skating Dog park More for teens Nature play Skate park Tennis/Pickleball Camping More programming Running track Soccer/Football Other 11
POSSIBLE PARK ACTIVITIES: WATERFRONT Are you interested in any of these? Please add any others you might like to see. Floating swimming pool Waterfront esplanade Saltwater swimming pool Rowing Boat launch Natural shoreline 12
POSSIBLE PARK ACTIVITIES: NATURAL PLAYGROUND Are you interested in any of these? Please add any others you might like to see. Driftwood climbing Swings Natural play structures Splash pad Water and sand play Rope play/climbing 13
POSSIBLE PARK ACTIVITIES: ACTIVE PLAY/ SPORTS Are you interested in any of these? Please add any others you might like to see. Bouncing pillow In-ground trampoline Skate Park Sports Adult fitness Ice rink 14
POSSIBLE PARK ACTIVITIES: ESPLANADE, SEATING, PICNICING Are you interested in any of these? Please add any others you might like to see. Esplanade Esplanade seating Picnic Shade structure Barbecue Community pizza oven 15
POSSIBLE PARK ACTIVITIES: PERFORMANCE SPACES Are you interested in any of these? Please add any others you might like to see. Showmobile Amphitheater Stage Kids performance - puppets Outdoor movies Outdoor classroom 16
Possible Park Activities: Environmentally Responsible Design Are you interested in any of these? Please add any others you might like to see. Wetland trail Woodland trail Natural shoreline Enhanced natural systems Stormwater infiltration Environmental education 17
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? 18