Kings Point officials weigh revegetation for East Shore Road Park

Janelle Clausen
Kings Point Village Hall.

Kings Point officials heard ideas for revegetation of a portion of land designated for the East Shore Road Park on Thursday, in hopes of beautifying the area and improving the view.

The plan from Nelson, Pope & Voorhis would target a stretch of land totaling over two acres, or 95,000 square feet, along East Shore Road in phases. In total the plan could cost over $200,000, according to Chic Voorhis, a representative from the environmental planning firm.

Voorhis described the area as one with numerous invasive species ranging from Norway maple to phragmites, which can change the character of the soil. He said the plan would seek to protect the wetlands, improve the view and pursue a healthy mix of vegetation.

“It’s beautiful and should really be a gateway to the village – and it is,” Voorhis said at the hearing, “but it’s compromised here.”

Voorhis said that his firm believes the best strategy would be to remove the most dangerous invasive species and vines, retain some trees, maintain healthy vegetation and plant native species. He also recommended improving currently open areas and selectively thinning others.

Kings Point trustees adopted a resolution in January authorizing the village to purchase waterfront land on Manhasset Bay for a six-acre park. This park would be created by purchasing vacant properties by eminent domain.

“The property would be turned into a passive park that would beautify one of the main gateways to the village, providing residents with beautiful vistas as they enter and exit the village,” Kings Point Mayor Michael Kalnick said at the time. “The new open space will allow residents to enjoy activities such as bird watching, nature study and photography.”

At the time, though, the passive park was a subject of controversy. Daniel Capruso, a resident who was at that public hearing, said residential landowners had told the board they “did not understand why their properties had to be taken from them and made into a park.”

Steve Limmer, the village attorney, said that Kings Point has acquired all the land and that now it is more a matter of paperwork in regard to compensation.

But, Limmer noted, it is a complex process.

One of the 15 land parcels involved, for example, has six different property owners and another has “a few hundred people” who have easements on it. Some people have accepted payments, Limmer said, while some are getting appraisals to see what their land is worth.

The village initially offered $557,000 total for all of the land. The 15 parcels total 462,000 square feet, but most of it is “basically land that can’t be used,” Limmer said.

“The village thought it was pretty fair with what it was offering,” Limmer said.

Officials said that the village would be responsible for maintaining the park, while police would ensure only Kings Point residents use it.

“We’re not encouraging additional traffic there. People have been using it, essentially trespassing on private property,” Trustee Ron Horowitz said. “Once we make the improvements and we have more visibility, it will be easier for the Police Department to enforce the regulations.

Limmer said a revegetation plan needs to be approved by the village and that trustees want residents to review the plan. After that, trustees would need to submit it to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

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