The Hempstead Plains once covered 40,000 acres of central Nassau County. Nassau County designated this parcel of land for perpetual preservation in recognition of its unique ecological and historical value. Historically, the Hempstead Plains served as the "Cradle of Aviation" ... home to the former Mitchell Field Air Force base and several early flight endeavors, including< Insert Hempstead Plains< Insert Francis T. Purcell Preserve Charles A. Lindbergh’s historic flight in his Spirit of St. Louis from Long Island to Paris, France. It was the world’s first solo, nonstop transatlantic flight. Read more about the Hempstead Plains here: http://www.friendsofhp.org