Mineola, NY—Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), Department of Parks, Recreation & Museums Commissioner Doreen Banks and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi today kicked off Nassau County’s second “Be Our Guest” week, announcing that the County’s parks and museums will be open during the holiday break, December 20-January 4, 2004, and that admission discounts will be available for children.

“We are declaring an end to Winter Recess boredom for the children and parents of Nassau County,” said Presiding Officer Jacobs. “There is something for everyone to enjoy, from a free swim at the Aquatic Center to a visit to the Garvies Point Museum and Preserve for the special holiday film programming. All the events go a long way toward educating and entertaining children.”

Commissioner Doreen Banks adds: “We are looking forward to greeting Nassau County families to our parks, museums and preserves next week. We invite you to plan your entire week around the events. Bring your suits and towels to the Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center and lace up your skates for some fun at the Cantiague, Grant Park, and Christopher Morley Park ice rinks. Special programs are planned for the week, and the preserves have miles of trails to explore.”

Those museums and parks included in the “Be Our Guest” free admission giveaway are the Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove, and Tackapausha Museum and Preserve in Seaford.

“While we all struggle to do more with less, we hope this free pass to some of the County’s best museums and parks will give some relief to parents,” said Jacobs. “And when the kids ask, ‘What are we doing this week?’ parents can have a different answer every day of the week.”

Garvies Point Museum and Preserve
Barry Drive, Glen Cove
(516) 571-8010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
One Child FREE with every adult admission ($2 adults) for the holiday weeks
Garvies Point Museum and Preserve offers a combination of educational opportunities. The permanent museum exhibits are devoted to regional geology and Native American archaeology. During the winter break, the special programs are as follows: Dec. 20 & 21: Native American artist Charles Loloma, a traditional artist who uses modern ideas in his metal work, demonstrates the creation of various items of jewelry, including necklaces, in a 29 minute film. Dec. 28 & 29: Native American artist Allen Houser, an Apache stone sculptor who attempts to make the silent stone speak through his sculptures, creates fascinating rock creations during a 29 minute film. Dec. 24: “How to build an igloo” a film illustrating how the Inuit Arctic travelers build Igloo in a matter of minutes, and how perfect the ice blocks have to be in order to build a strong sturdy igloo, is demonstrated during this 10 minute, 27 second film. Dec. 26: “Paddle to the Sea” a 27-minute film about an Indian boy who carves a man in a canoe and calls him to paddle to the sea. The boy places him on a frozen stream to wait for spring. When spring finally arrives the movie follows the journey. Dec. 31: “The Voyageurs” a 19 minute film that looks into the lives of men who would paddle big freighter canoes into the wilderness during the time when Canada’s biggest business was the fur trade, and examines what they ate and also what it was like to travel in canoes for days on end.

Tackapausha Museum and Preserve
Washington Ave., Seaford
(516) 571-7443
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.
One Child FREE with every adult admission ($2 adults) for the holiday weeks
The Tackapausha Museum and Preserve exhibits include habitat groups which show Long Island’s wildlife at different stages and seasons of development and a popular display that features a live owl and bats in a reversed day-night cycle, introducing observers to the world of nocturnal life. In addition, a small collection of live animals from the region is presented in displays and educational programs. The Museum offers live animal programs and video programs highlighting various natural history subjects.
Adjacent to the Museum is Tackapausha Preserve, a 77-acre tract of glacial outwash plain that is maintained in its natural state as a wildlife sanctuary.

African American Museum
110 North Franklin St., Hempstead
(516) 572-0730
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free Admission*
This museum is primarily comprised of rotating exhibits, which showcase African American artistic talent while celebrating the rich history of African Americans in this country. Museum hours are Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Wednesday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. * There is never a fee to visit the museum, however, during holiday week, visitors under the age of 12 will get a free gift.

Nassau County Aquatic Center
Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
(516) 572-0501
One (1) child’s admission Free* with each paying adult, Dec. 22, 23, 24 (closing Christmas Eve at 5 p.m.), 26, 29, 30, 31 (closing New Year’s Eve at 5 p.m.), January 2.
Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Bring your own towel
The Swimming and Diving Center, located at Eisenhower Park, has hosted such events as the Goodwill Games and the 1999 Empire State Games. Admission provides access to the swimming pool and locker room use only.

Grant Park
Broadway and Sheridan Avenues, Hewlett
(516) 571-7821
One (1) child’s admission free (including skate rental) with each paying adult. Discount is for weekday sessions only. Adult: $5, Senior: $1 (skate rental not included)
Sessions: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-Noon, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday evening: 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Grant Park features an ice rink with sessions and charter sessions in the winter months. A seasonal sled hill is also available.

Cantiague Park
480 West John Street, Hicksville
(516) 571-7052
One child’s admission free (including skate rental) with each paying adult. Adult: $5, Senior: $1 (skate rental not included)
Sessions: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-Noon, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Friday evenings 9-11 p.m.
Nassau County’s first indoor municipal rink, housed in attractive domed area with bleacher seating. Discount for weekday sessions only.

Christopher Morley Park
Searingtown Road, Roslyn Hills
(516) 571-8113
One child’s admission free (including skate rental) with each paying adult. Adult: $5, Senior: $1 (skate rental not included)
Sessions: Monday-Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:15-3:15 p.m., 4-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8:30-10:30 p.m., Thursday and Sunday, 6:45-8:45 p.m. Discount for weekday sessions only.