On Wednesday, June 19th, Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) announced that state legislation he sponsored (s2854b.pdf ) requiring NYS Office of Parks to prepare a master plan for the Nissequogue River State Park has passed both the Senate and the Assembly. Senator Flanagan ensured the master plan under the legislation would include 365-acres of property formerly known as Kings Park Psychiatric Center, which was subsequently transferred to NYS Parks in 2006.
According to Senator Flanagan’s statement State Parks would develop, adopt and implement a master plan for
the full 520-acres in cooperation with Nissequogue River State Park Foundation, other interested parties and critical input from the general public. The plan would present a series of preferred alternatives for the future development and use of the Nissequogue River State Park, but only after conducting public meetings to gather useful information and input, and also considering important factors, such as the historic, natural and recreational resources of the park.
The Nissequogue River State Park Foundation(NRSPF) was established in March 2008. Its mission is to help enhance and beautify the park. For over a decade the NRSPF board has advocated for a master plan.
“We are very excited about the legislation that was sponsored by Senator Flanagan and passed the Senate yesterday. This legislation accomplishes two major goals; First, it clarifies that both segments of the property that was designated as parkland (the original 155 acres and the subsequent addition of 365 acres) to be part of Nisseqougue River State Park. Historically there have been concerns in some quarters that the designation of the 365 acres was at risk of being developed. Although the Foundation has always supported the law indicating that parcel was designated as part of the original park, it is now codified by this legislation.
Secondly, the bill requires the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to establish a “master plan” for the entire park that takes into consideration the historic natural and recreational resources of the park as well as the protection of the resources of the park facilities and principles of sustainability. It will include short and long-term agendas to guide future development of park facilities. This plan will be done with community input as part of the OPRHP master planning process. A related and welcome feature of the bill names both the Town of Smithtown and the NRSP Foundation as “interested parties” and states that the plan will be developed in cooperation with these parties.
These are important and welcome developments and we look forward to working closely with the OPRHP in developing a comprehensive plan that meets the needs of the entire community. ” John McQuaid, President NRSP Foundation
This is not the first time Senator Flanagan has intervened on behalf of the park; in 2006 Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) announced that he had secured $25 million in state funding for the environmental cleanup of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center site. Most of that money was spent removing buildings from the site.
The foundation hosts numerous fundraisers benefiting the park including an annual Turkey Trot and most recently a Sunset Run held in May. The NRSP Foundation Youth Board is hosting its annual Regatta on July 13th.
The legislation is awaiting Governor Cuomo’s signature.
The Nissequogue River State Park is located at 799 Saint Johnland Road, Kings Park, NY, 11754. To learn more about the NRSP Foundation and the work it does to support the park click here.