Mangano Announces Historic Preservation Effort In Nassau
Vision plan completed for marking of original Long Island Motor Parkway

County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined by county officials, local environmental and recreation activists at a press conference on June 3rd where they announced the completion and release of a vision plan which will mark the route of the Long Island Motor Parkway, built by William K. Vanderbilt. Pictured (left to right) are: Dennis Byrne, LI Greenways and Healthy Trails; Michael Vitti from the Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers; Brian Schneider of Nassau County Department of Public Works; County Executive Mangano; Howard Kroplick, President of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society; Nassau Department of Public Works Commissioner Shila Shah-Gavnoudias: Lisa and Richard Scharry, from Friends of Massapequa Preserve and OSPAC; and Harold Lutz, Director of Transportation at VHB Engineering.

June 3 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined by local and state representatives today in announcing the completion and release of a vision plan establishing the Motor Parkway Trail.

The trail, which will link many communities together through hiking and biking routes, will trace the original route of the famed Long Island Motor Parkway. The establishment of the Motor Parkway Trail will also help promote the County Executive’s Fit Nassau initiative, which is aimed at making Nassau County the healthiest County in the nation by promoting healthy lifestyles which includes daily exercise.

“This cooperation between community leaders, County representatives and New York State has resulted in the preservation of one of Long Island’s most storied pieces of history,” said County Executive Mangano. “Over many years they worked together to establish this trail to the benefit of all Long Islanders.”

The Long Island Motor Parkway was built by William K. Vanderbilt. Construction began in 1908, with the first nine-mile stretch running from Westbury to Bethpage. Over the next 18 years, the parkway’s beginnings as a 100-foot wide right-of-way winding across parts of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties was completed in 1926 when the parkway reached Ronkonkoma. It was the nation’s first roadway built for exclusive use by automobiles. The Long Island Motor Parkway was also the setting for the Vanderbilt Cup races, a thrilling auto race that played a critical role in the history of its sport.

The project will be funded in Nassau County through Environmental Bond Act monies. The funding level is $450,000 which includes the formulation of the vision plan, design plans for the demonstration piece and construction of the demonstration piece. An additional allocation of EBA funds for construction is under consideration in the amount of $500,000.

The first phase of the project will be a section of the trail between Carman Ave. and Stewart Ave. and will span about 1.25 miles. The project is currently in the design phase.

“Progress very often erases parts of history,” said County Executive Mangano. “Projects like this one can ensure that history is not forgotten however, and establishing this trail will keep a part of Long Island’s history alive for many more generations.”