Northwest and Northeast Ponds Enhancements at Hempstead Lake State Park– Hempstead, NY (2023)

As part of the Living with the Bay program the $16.9 million rehabilitation project at North East and North West Ponds at Hempstead Lake State Park for the New York State office of Parks, Recreation, & Historical Preservation addressed the ecological degradation of the ponds while improving recreational opportunities for park visitors.  The project restored and created new fresh water wetlands as well as the installation of culverts and floatable catchers at the inlets to trap floatable deposits and prevent them from entering the Ponds and downstream Hempstead Lake and improve the quality of the water flowing into the bay.   The project also updated bridal and greenway trails including a new trail with an overlook deck, a pedestrian bridge and a new greenway extending to the surrounding neighborhoods.  A new parking lot was added on the North side of the park. NW and NE Ponds environmental and stormwater mitigation improvements will improve stormwater management and water quality, reduced erosion, creation and restoration of diverse habitats and ecosystems and enhanced social connectivity with a continuous greenway extending to the surrounding neighborhoods.