Floral Park: Volunteerism, development, beautification are draws
Heritage Park is nestled beside village hall and the fire department in Floral Park. Credit: Jeff Bachner
THE SCOOP Tulip Avenue is one of the many streets in Floral Park aptly named for trees, flowers and shrubs.
"We take floral pretty seriously, with trees and beautification," said Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald. "Not only with the village's beautification, but there are volunteer residents who take care of pocket parks and people take care of their homes."
The family-oriented village, which is a short commute into the city via Long Island Rail Road, boasts about 20 different community organizations and a popular rec center and pool.
"What I find most desirable to live in Floral Park village is the great sense of community and volunteerism, which makes it unique and old-fashioned in its own way," said Maryann DiCicco, of Howard Hanna Coach Realtors.
Tulip Avenue is home to many of Floral Park's bars, restaurants and shops. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Jericho Turnpike, now another thoroughfare full of businesses, once traversed Hinsdale, a community of more than two dozen flower farms. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Recent developments in the hamlet include a 24-unit apartment complex, set to be completed in February, on the former site of Centennial Hall about a block from the train station. Construction is expected to begin soon on a mixed-use development with stores on the first floor and second-floor apartments on Covert Avenue.
Initially called Plainfield, Floral Park once marked the western edge of the great Hempstead Plains. Home to mostly farms and farmland, the area began to be developed in the early 1800s with the introduction of the LIRR and Jericho Turnpike, which traversed what was then known as Hinsdale, a community of more than two dozen flower farms.
Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in Floral Park is a favorite of locals for walks and scenery. Credit: Jeff Bachner
In the mid-1870s, businessman and politician John Lewis Childs came to Hinsdale and, wanting to promote his own seed company and the village, convinced local leaders to change the name to Floral Park. Childs' mail-order seed business took off and the Floral Park post office was built primarily to handle his voluminous mailings. At Childs' prodding, the village was incorporated in 1908 and the community was plotted into neat residential areas. The Floral Park nurseries survived until the 1920s, but the ensuing real estate boom turned flower fields into residential neighborhoods.
Homes in the hamlet are mostly Colonials dating back to the 1920s with wood-burning fireplaces, noted DiCicco.
Homes along Aspen Street, top, and Ash Street in Floral Park. Credit: Jeff Bachner
SALE PRICES Between Oct. 3, 2023, and Oct. 2, 2024, there were 274 home sales with a median sale price of $684,400, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 243 home sales with a median sale price of $625,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are three co-ops, priced between $200,000 and $289,000, on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 15,895
Median age 44
Median home value $720,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Floral Park $253
School district, graduation rate Sewanhaka (95.3%)
Library Floral Park
Transit NICE Bus Routes 22, 22x
Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
ON THE MARKET
$1.17 million
This $1.17 million Floral Park home is a mother/daughter. Credit: Raw Pixels/Joe Guarrasi
This 2,198-square-foot mother/daughter home has five beds and 2½ baths. It features hardwood floors throughout, a washer/dryer on the first and second floors, a second floor wet bar, finished basement and solar panels. The 0.9-acre property has a heated driveway, detached one-car garage and generator. Taxes are $18,975. Marc Windheuser, RE/MAX Team, 718-747-9599.
$989,000
This $989,000 Floral Park home sits on 0.11 acre. Credit: VHT Studios
This renovated 1,534-square-foot home has four beds, three baths and hardwood floors. Updates include the kitchen, dining room, living room, windows, front door and electric. It has a full, finished basement and natural gas heat. The 0.11-acre partially fenced-in lot has a brick-paved backyard with a detached two-car garage. Taxes $15,000. Talat Mahmood, Property Professionals Realty, 516-605-2700.
$845,000
This $845,000 Floral Park home is nearly 1,500 square feet. Credit: VHT Studios
At 1,496-square feet, this Tudor Colonial features three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms, storage in the attic and finished basement. It has abundant natural light, hardwood floors and an expansive family room with skylight. The 0.09-acre property has a brick walkway, rear deck and detached one-car garage. Taxes are $14,025. Mary DiCicco, Howard Hanna Coach, 516-352-7333.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.375 million
Irving Avenue
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 2024
Lot size 0.09 acre
Taxes $20,000
+/- List price -$75,000
Days on market 165
$960,000
Hickory Street
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1930
Lot size 0.09 acre
Taxes $17,950
+/- List price -$35,000
Days on market 108
$615,000
Landau Avenue
Style Exp Cape
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1910
Lot size 0.09 acre
Taxes $15,744
+/- List price -$24,900
Days on market 60
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 23
Price range $200,000 to $1.2 million
Tax range $6,589 $18,400
