The Great Neck Park District Board of Commissioners passed a resolution designating the Village Green as a suitable place for rallies and public forums on Thursday night.
By adding the Village Green, the park district could direct people interested in holding a political, religious or other rally toward two parks. The other is Firefighters Memorial Park on Grace Avenue in Great Neck Plaza.
“People are allowed to assemble in any park, but what the Park District did many years ago was try to promote the Grace Avenue – now Firefighters – Park because it’s a more suitable facility,” Commissioner Bob Lincoln said, noting its openness and availability of parking. “That was an area assigned for public assembly.”
“It only adds another question: which place do you want to use?” Lincoln said in a follow-up call.
The change makes the district’s policy consistent, Lincoln said. People will still need to get permits, which Lincoln said are usually approved and just aim to help ensure proper staffing and resources are available.
“There have been a couple of instances where events have been held and approved by us on the Village Green because in reality it’s just as suitable and there are some events that are just more old village oriented if you will,” Lincoln said.
