Gov. Paterson Dips Into State Aid to Help Hall's Pond Restoration

The restoration efforts taking place at Park in West Hempstead recently received a boost from New York State.

Governor David Paterson announced on Nov. 15 that the state will be granting $61.5 million in aid to local communities across New York to improve water quality, reduce pollution and restore vital habitats. Nassau and Suffolk Counties will receive a total of $10.7 million, which will be used for habitat restoration projects, including the work being done at Hall's Pond. It's not clear at this time exactly how much of the pot will be allocated to be used for the 11-acre park in West Hempstead.

"These grants will help communities throughout the State fulfill a basic responsibility: protecting water quality," Paterson said. "The local governments and conservation districts selected in this grant program all demonstrated a clear need for these funds and proposed innovative approaches for addressing often long-standing problems."

The park, which is owned by Nassau County, was originally designed for drainage purposes before it was turned into a recreation area. This past summer, the County closed the park so it could give it a long-awaited makeover. When the renovations are complete in 2011, the park will have a new gazebo and amphitheater, and improved fencing, lighting, trash cans, walkways and drinking fountains. The footbridge will have received a face-lift and a new catch basin filtration system will help to keep the pond water clean and clear.

The grant money awarded comes from the Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP), which is part of the state's Environmental Protection Fund. The funds are meant to address major sources of water pollution and habitat degradation in communities throughout New York.

Paterson added: "These awards are another step my administration has taken to protect New York's clean water supply."