Strong community bond keeps Williston Park thriving
The Williston Park Village pool is a popular spot when the weather heats up as it did on June 28, 2010. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Call Williston Park a small village with a big heart. "It's such a wonderful community, where everybody gets involved," says resident Evelyn Atanas, who owns a real estate agency that bears her name.
"Everyone tries to help each other out," agrees resident Mary Ann Meehan, an agent at Patricia Rummel Real Estate. For instance, she says, when it snowed this winter, her neighbors took it upon themselves to shovel her out.
No doubt, community members are saddened by the five-alarm fire that destroyed five mom-and-pop storefronts on Willis Avenue last week, Atanas says, noting everyone is pulling together. The commercial district along Willis and Hillside avenues is host to almost 300 businesses, including eateries, retailers and professional offices.
The village also houses a library, recreation areas, including a public pool, and houses of worship. There are youth and sports programs, as well as a senior center. Local groups include a civic association, a chamber of commerce, rotary club, a parking committee and neighborhood watch.
Some neighborhoods feature Colonials built in 1926 by William Chatlos. It seems appropriate that these homes were referred to as "Happiness Homes." The Chatlos houses, many of them expanded, sit on 40-by-100-foot lots, while Colonials, Capes and high-ranches in other areas often are on 60-by-100-foot lots. There are a few two-family homes as well. "The area sells the houses," she adds, noting that highways and major hospitals are nearby.
CONDOS: One listing, $300,000
SALES PRICES: From June 1, 2013, to July 20, 2014, there were 61 sales with a median price of $500,000. The low was $287,500 and the high was $760,000. From June 1, 2012, to July 20, 2103, there were 65 sales. The median price was $459,000 with a low of $330,000 and a high of $727,650.
ATTRACTIONS: Residents can join the Roger Fay Williston Park Pool. William J. Kelleher Field is near the pool; chamber events include the Williston Day Street Fair, usually in September.
MORE WILLISTON PARK STATS
Town: North Hempstead
Area: 0.6 square mile
ZIP code: 11596
Population: 7,287
Median age: 43.9
Median household income: $107,622
Median home value: $527,500*
LIRR time to NYC: 41 minutes to 48 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket: $242
School districts: Herricks and Mineola; the private St. Aidan School is on Willis Avenue.
SOURCES: 2010 census; mlslI.com; LIRR;
*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI
