New Playground Area for Hempstead Lake State Park

Hempstead Lake State Park will see a new playground installed thanks to $1.35 million allocated to state parks from the Governor's New York Works initiative.

“It is important that children have a safe and engaging place to play, and
these NY Works projects will give them just that in State Parks across New
York,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement on Thursday. “The numbers tell the story of more and more people visiting the parks, and I encourage everyone to visit these new and improved areas inside the state parks as well as the beauty that New York has to offer.”

Hempstead Lake will see a improvements to the existing playground will create a “carousel” theme, with colorful playground and benches arranged in a circle, mimicking the nearby carousel.

Construction is expected to take place in the off-season, so that they are ready for next spring.

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, said, “The funding provided through NY Works is helping build and repair critical infrastructure across the state, while also making important investments in our public facilities. I applaud Governor Cuomo for this latest round of funding for the improvements to Valley Stream State Park and other parks so that children and their families can safely enjoy these playgrounds well into the future.”

Senator Kemp Hannon, R-Garden City, said, "The New York Works Initiative, which is creating new jobs and supporting economic development across the State and on Long Island, will bring much-needed improvements to the playground at Bethpage State Park and Hempstead Lake State Park. It will create a ‘Woodland Nature’ theme, incorporating several new play structures on the existing playground at Bethpage, and a ‘Carousel’ theme will be created at Hempstead Lake, with a colorful playground and benches arranged in a circle, mimicking the nearby Carousel. I am pleased to continue working with Governor Cuomo to improve our State Parks, while at the same time creating new jobs and bolstering our economy.

Other state parks that will see improvement include Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, Orient Beach in Orient, Brentwood State Park, Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon, Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, and Heckscher State Park in East Islip, Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, Montauk Point State Park and Valley Stream State Park.