The Baywalk Waterfront Park project is moving forward. We have received almost $1.4 million in grants for Phase I of the project. The path design, including lighting, benches, and landscaping has been finalized. What was still left to be decided was the pier design, and the final NYSDEC review of the plan.

The DEC had initial comments on our first pier design. Our origional concept was to have a long wide pier with benches galore. The end of the pier was to be canopied for shading purposes. However, the pier was also supposed to be recreational -- to allow fishing and perhaps even a boat or two to dock. The DEC concluded that one long pier could not do the trick. So it was back to the drawing board.

After consulting with our engineers and many months of deliberation, we came up with a new and improved design. Based solely on DEC comments, the new plan calls for a separate pier for fishing, sightseeing, and boat entry. The design, shown, allows for each activity to be conducted independent of each other. Now those who wish to take in the sights can do so without being disturbed by other activities.

This pier will be the focal point of our Baywalk Park. It will extend our Village’s reach into Manhasset Bay, and for the first time, allow boats to dock and visit our Village, its shops and restaurants. We hope to have this project out to bid by fall, and construction start in Spring of 2008.

In the meantime, we are actively seeking financing for Phase II, which will include bulkheading the eroding shoreline and developing the open space across from Stop & Shop’s entrance. Once completed, we will have a fully functioning waterfront park for the entire community to use and enjoy.

Added 9-07