A campaign to rebuild Alvan O. Petrus Park in Port Washington that began in 2011 came one step closer to reality last month when the North Hempstead Town Council authorized a nearly $1.3 million construction contract to rebuild the park..
In a 7-0 vote at the April 19 board meeting, the Town Board approved the contract with Woodstock Construction Group Ltd. of Bayville, for $1,289,800.
“The rally to restore Petrus Park was a group effort,” Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio said. “It’s a tribute to community activism and hard work. I was honored to be a part of it.”
De Giorgio called for the town to remodel the park during her 2011 campaign for the town board, calling the effort a long process that the town needed to take its time with.
The 1.5-acre property, owned and maintained by the North Hempstead Housing Authority, was closed in 2008.
Currently the site is littered with graffiti on the basketball court’s backboard and with overgrown weeds.
The town acquired the property from the housing authority and its financial partners in 2015 and declared the area public parkland.
Town of North Hempstead officials said designers have struggled with the area’s hilly topography and seclusion from public view.
Trees and brush will be cleared and retaining walls will be installed in the redesign, and the entrance to the park will be on Port Washington Boulevard, officials said.
Officials said the park design will include a new basketball court, handball court, picnic area, along with a barbecue pit, and jogging and walking trails.
Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said the plans expand on the original conception of the park, which includes only a single basketball court and that she hopes to attract residents of all ages to the facility.
