In an effort to secure funding and take full advantage of state resources allocated for local economic development needs, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced that the county has submitted Consolidated Funding Applications (CFA) for 10 environmental, recreational and infrastructure-related improvement projects.
The state’s CFA streamlines and expedites the grant application process, serving as the single-entry point for municipalities to gain access to economic development funding rather than slowly navigating multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Funding awards are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Bailey Arboretum Water Quality Improvement Project
This project will provide water quality improvement at the county-owned Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Improvements include the deepening of existing ponds to support a fresh warmwater fishery for largemouth bass and bluegill species.
Upper Massapequa Lake Dam Safety Improvement Project
The county will retain a contractor to complete construction improvements to the Upper Massapequa Lake Dam structure on the south side of the Massapequa Reservoir. The project will include the regrading of a berm to an elevation of 17 feet and increasing the size of an existing spillway.
Christopher Morley Park Improvement Project
The county is working to redevelop Christopher Morley Park, located in Roslyn Heights. The proposed scope of work offers critical improvements to the main building, a complete restoration of the public area at an old pond site, the improvement of the existing pool deck, a new spray and play facility, a new badminton court, two new pickleball courts, two new pavilions, new lighting, repaving and resurfacing throughout the park, fencing, drainage and ADA accessibility improvements. The project will complement ongoing improvements being made by the county including a new picnic area with shade structures, resurfacing of the old courts, new fencing throughout the park and updates to the existing playgrounds including a new safety surface. The final design will be completed in early 2020.
Sands Point Entry Bridge
The historic access bridge into the Sands Point Preserve (Hempstead House, Castle Gould, Mille Fleurs and Falaise) was damaged by a falling tree and the ravages of time. The project will restore the structural integrity of the bridge, provide a safe ADA compliant walkway across the bridge and provide signage for compliance with ASHTO standards.
Bethpage Bikeway Restoration Project
The county is working to rehabilitate a one-mile section of the Bethpage Bikeway Trail in Massapequa. The Bethpage Bikeway is a 13-mile shared-use path from Woodbury to Massapequa and is one of Long Island’s most popular recreational trails. The trail connects the Massapequa community near Merrick Road with the Massapequa LIRR station, Massapequa Preserve, Bethpage State Park and Trailview State Park. The project proposes to rehabilitate the substandard pavement and remediate existing drainage issues.
—Nassau County
