Living in Bay Park

Look what’s Happening

Herald file photo Top Photo: Kayaking is a popular activity in Bay Park, and the spacious waterways provide many of ways to social distance while having fun.

Julia Swerdin/Herald Middle Photo: Louis DeVivo created a garden in Bay Park in honor of his step-father, the late Joseph Levy, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the coronavirus struck, it became a popular destination for residents who wanted to go outside.

Courtesy Dean Cooper Bottom Photo: As part of his Eagle Scout project, Bay Park resident Dean Cooper collected pet food to donate to the Pets of the Homeless organization. The Bay Park dog park is a popular spot for furry friends.

Courtesy Jesse Heimowitz

Enjoying the outdoors in Bay Park

While sharing the same zip code as East Rockaway, Bay Park is governed by the Town of Hempstead. It sustained extensive damage to many of its homes when Hurricane Sandy hit the community on Oct. 29, 2012; however, the community weathered the storm and stayed strong amid the coronavirus.

The Bay Park Water Reclamation Facility, which was also damaged in Sandy, discharges 50 million gallons of treated sewage a day into Reynolds Channel — although a plan to use a 110-year-old aqueduct beneath Sunrise Highway to transport the sewage into the ocean is in the works.

Bay Park is also home to a 96-acre park that shares the same name, and has been in the Nassau County park system since 1947. Located in the southwest corner of the county, the park offers a wealth of athletic fields and courts, bicycle paths and an outdoor roller rink. Newly designed since Hurricane Sandy, the park now boasts a new large playground, picnic area, spray pool and lots of room for running. There is also a nine-hole, par-30 golf course that is open from March to December. Overlooking Hewlett Bay, a fishing dock is open year-round, along with a launch ramp for boats or personal watercrafts. The park also offers a dog run with separate areas for big and small dogs. The run is located on the east side of the park.

Hewlett Point Park offers a relaxing beach and picnic area overlooking Hewlett Bay. The park is at 130 Hewlett Point Ave. in Bay Park, and is open only to Town of Hempstead residents. Whether it’s outdoor recreation on the beach or swimming in the pool, there is plenty to do on the bay.

The community also has its own civic group, the Bay Park Civic Association, which meets regularly to discuss local issues and support its neighbors with their problems. Check out their Facebook group “Bay Park Civic Association.”