In celebrating 50 years of Cantiague Park, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, County Legislator Rose Walker and local sports teams unveiled major improvements including new athletic fields, a new playground, new batting cages, ice rink expansion, improved mini-golf course and driving range, and refurbishments to the pool, parking lot and restrooms.
Recent improvements include:
• Two new turf baseball/softball fields and two new baseball/softball infields with new irrigation systems
• Nine new automated batting cages with the capability to modify the pitch speed, height and adjust for baseball or softball. The machines also have the capability to remove excess moisture from the balls through heat which has been a maintenance issue in older machines
• New playground between the batting cages.
• Rehabilitated mini-golf course and driving range.
• Refurbishment of the pool with a gel coat lining.
• Improved parking lot, restrooms and new lighting throughout the park.
Additionally, the skating facility has undergone recent renovations highlighted by the expansion of the rink to NHL regulation size and the installation of new boards, player benches and penalty box that were used by the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. Other improvements include: new flooring, a new lobby and community room, new bathrooms, and new seating areas. Built in 1966, the ice rink at Cantiague Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The ice rink has also played host to an Olympic gold medalist Nancy Kerrigan, who performed there in 2004, and was the New York Islanders’ practice facility from 1979 to 1992.
Cantiague Park has been part of the county park system since 1961 and is centrally located in Hicksville. When the park opened, it represented the second major park the county managed, in addition to Eisenhower Park. It was also the first park offering a swimming pool and an artificial skating rink. This 127-acre park offers the following activities:
• Fve lighted tennis courts; six lighted handball/paddleball courts; and three lighted basketball courts. Athletic fields include four softball fields and four multi-sport fields (two lighted). Soccer, football, lacrosse and rugby are played on the multi-sport fields.
• An 18-hole miniature golf course; batting cages; a playground providing activities for children of varying ages, from preschoolers to teens.
• A 9-hole, par-30 golf course. The course is 1,878 yards, with holes ranging from 150 yards to 272 yards. In addition, the park has an illuminated driving range.
• The swimming pool complex includes an Olympic-sized pool, two water slides, a diving pool, a “kiddie” pool, a training pool and an interactive water-play area. Lockers, showers and a refreshment area are located near the pool.
For more information on the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums call 516-572-0200 or visit the website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.
—Submitted by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano
