N. Hempstead Town reveals lofty plan for expansive waterfront park at former Bar Beach

Question: Which of the following will you be able to do at the former Bar Beach in North Hempstead Town?

1) Kayak

2) Swing yourself to sleep in a hammock

3) Dine under the shade at an outdoor cafe

4) Zoom along a motocross track

5) Walk the dog

6) Frolic in a water playground

7) Play chess

The answer is all of the above, and more, based on renderings of the town's plans to revamp the 90-acre park that were unveiled Friday during Supervisor Judi Bosworth's State of the Town address. Details on a redeveloped park have been two years in the making.

"The plan for the park will be truly transformative, with features including a year-round restaurant and outdoor cafe," Bosworth said during her address at Harbor Hills Golf Course in Port Washington. "Among the features of the new park will be a space we are considering reserving for the memorial to honor those North Hempstead residents who perished on 9/11."

North Hempstead Beach Park is a two-part property featuring 1.25 miles of shoreline directly east of West Shore Road, and a separate 200 acres of untouched woodlands west of the road. For much of its existence, North Hempstead owned half the park and Nassau County owned the other half, which was known as Bar Beach. In October 2010, the county gave its share to North Hempstead.

In January 2017, officials visited communities within the town seeking residents' thoughts on what features should be added to the park's revamp. Residents suggested an array of amenities including an archery range, large wind turbines and even a drone racing course. The town hired Manhattan-based architectural firm Quennell Rothschild & Partners  to gather residents' ideas and create a master plan for the park. 

A price tag or timeline for completion haven't been finalized, said town spokeswoman Carole Trottere. The town will hire an engineering firm to develop more detailed design work, Bosworth said. 

Residents who heard Bosworth's plans Friday said they believe the amenities — which will also include a sensory garden, an ice-skating rink, performance stage and a climbing wall — will bring more people to the park. 

Kay Ullman, of Sands Point, said she is excited about the planned changes, adding that "my children learned how to swim at what was called Bar Beach." Ullman said she is most excited about the restaurant because it'll be a nice place to eat outside in the summer. 

"I think it'll be good, but it has to look attractive," Ullman said. 

Debbie Shichtman, of Port Washington, called the upcoming features wonderful and said she is glad the plan calls for reopening a section of the park that had been closed after superstorm Sandy in 2012.

"We're all excited about it," Shichtman said. "I would imagine more people will come — at least that's the goal." 

During her 45-minute speech, Bosworth also recapped historical preservation efforts the town undertook and noteworthy legislation passed by town council members.

She referenced a law amendment barring utility companies from reopening town roads after they've been recently repaved and plans this week to regulate gas-powered landscaping equipment. She also mentioned a recently passed trio of recreational and medical marijuana-focused amendments, adding that "these laws reflect the grave concerns expressed by parents and civic associations on selling recreational marijuana."

 To see a rendering and images of the plans, go to www.northhempsteadny.gov/nhbpvisioning.