Mangano Secures Funds To Beautify Oxbow Park In East Rockaway

Funds Will Help Waterfront Village Continue to Make Improvements for Residents

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced the continuation of an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with the Village of East Rockaway to help the Village improve the quality of its storm water runoff, protecting the fragile bays and canals. In addition, the Village will receive an additional $200,000 from Nassau County’s Environmental 2006 Environmental Bond Act (EBA) to improve Oxbow Park, located in the Village.

“East Rockaway and Nassau County have always worked together to the benefit of the residents,” said Mangano. “I want to thank Village Mayor Mayor Francis T. Lenahan Jr., the Village Trustees and Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino for the incredible work they do in East Rockaway and we look forward to continuing this productive relationship.

East Rockaway is a small village on the South Shore that borders Hewlett, Lynbrook, Oceanside and Bay Park. Once a thriving seaside town, it is a model of suburban splendor with beautiful parks, waterfront vistas and an up and coming downtown.

"I am thrilled that I was able to play a role in bringing this important funding to East Rockaway," noted Senior Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino, an East Rockaway resident and former Village Deputy Mayor. "I want to personally thank County Executive Mangano for acting on my request to provide county funding for the refurbishment of Oxbow Park. The County Executive's incredible leadership in these difficult times is putting the county's fiscal house in order without raising taxes while ensuring that the county can continue to partner with local communities on important projects like Oxbow Park."

The EBA funds earmarked for Oxbow Park were originally slated for other projects that did not come to fruition but were reallocated to help the Village improve the park. The money will be used to replace an existing gazebo, installation of new fencing on the perimeter of the park, a new waterfront walkway, new lighting structures and new landscaping. Nassau County will provide funds to the Village for the construction of the project, and the Village will design, construct, and maintain the park.

“This generous grant will help to initiate improvements to a piece of waterfront park property that has been neglected and underutilized for far too long,” said East Rockaway Village Mayor Francis Lenahan. “This is the first phase of the rehabilitation of Oxbow Park, and soon residents and visitors will be able to enjoy vistas and a place for recreation and relaxation. We extend our appreciation and would like to thank County Executive Ed Mangano, the Nassau County Legislature, TOH Senior Councilman Anthony Santino and all those who were instrumental in seeing this grant come to fruition.”

In addition, the existing IMA will continue to help the Village manage the storm water runoff to minimize the amount of contaminants and debris that may be washed into the bays and canals in the Village.

“East Rockaway is one of Nassau County’s waterfront treasures, and I am proud to assist the Village as it continues to make improvements that will ensure a high quality of life for many generations to come,” said Mangano.