Hempstead Lake has more than 150 years of history in the Long Island region. Beginning its life in 1853, the lake/reservoir was created by Brooklyn Water Works to supply freshwater to the growing population.
Unfortunately, the lake’s sandy bottom was unable to hold more than 15 feet of water, half of what the dam structures were designed to contain. In 1925, the Southern State Parkway separated the lake from the park, and Robert Moses recommended transferring the 990 acres of land and 130 acres of lakes from New York City to New York State Parks. When New York State took over, the area around the park had already become fully developed and the lake had been neglected. Its importance as a recreational, educational and environmental asset was buried and seemed lost to the region. Hempstead Lake rests in the Mill River Corridor, and is a key component to the resiliency strategy needed to improve the water quality and decrease stormwater flooding. Environmental co-benefits of the project include water quality improvements; ecological restoration; groundwater recharge; community, social, educational, environmental, and resiliency components.
The “Greenway Corridor” follows the original Mill River from the North Shore, bisecting Long Island and ending on the South Shore. The Greenway is part of the “Living by the Bay” resiliency project led by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR). New York State Parks Hempstead Lake State Park will be the heart of the project, linking communities at the center of the corridor.
The park enhancement and improvement amenities will provide pedestrian lake interaction and accessibility; fishing piers; ADA compliant kayack dock & launch; a new 4,000 square foot education and visitor’s center to welcome the community and educate visitors on the history of the park and its important role in the community; Schodack Brook Bridge Crossing will allow users to traverse the entire park from north to south. Other improvements include five miles of multi-use bridle trail improvements; a new 50 car parking field with green infrastructure; enhanced bird watching platforms; and interpretive and educational signage. New and enhanced access points will allow the public and emergency providers easier and faster entry to and from all surrounding neighborhoods.