Herricks Pond grant to unleash new fish in Nassau County park

Herricks Pond Park is soon to benefit from new enhancements, including a delivery of fish, thanks to a $100,000 state grant secured this year.

The grant also will cover removal of invasive plants, new planting of natural vegetation and completion of a walkway at the four-acre park in New Hyde Park. Native warm water fish species are to be placed in the pond.

The park at Searingtown Road and Herricks Road is operated by Nassau County and open to the public. It is often used as an educational tool to teach students about ecosystems and the environment.

"Further enhancing Herricks Pond Park will benefit residents, students and the environment as a whole," State Sen. Jack M. Martins (R-Mineola), who obtained the funding, said in a news release. "Working in partnership with Nassau County and the Herricks School District, we're not just beautifying a park; we're improving a living ecosystem that is an invaluable learning tool for local students."

Herricks Superintendent Fino Celano said in a news release that the educational benefits for students are vast.

"The park will provide a true living classroom where our students can learn valuable lessons about the environment, ecosystems and a variety of indigenous species of plant life," Celano said.

The park's improvements are slated for next spring and will likely conclude in the summer, officials said. The upgrades represent the second phase of enhancements for Herricks Pond Park. The first phase of the improvement project, covered by $100,000 of Nassau County Environmental Bond Act funding, was completed in 2010 and included construction of a paved walkway, fishing pier, seating area and more.