(SYOSSET, N.Y.) – Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) applauded a unanimous vote by the full Legislature to approve an intermunicipal agreement that will transfer the 287-acre Stillwell Park and Preserve in Syosset from County control to the Town of Oyster Bay.
Under the agreement, the County will transfer Stillwell, which encompasses an expanse of nature trails and preserves and popular ballfields that attract thousands of children and their families to the facility to play and watch little league baseball, flag football, soccer, and more, to the Town. As part of the intermunicipal agreement, $12 million in capital improvements will ultimately be completed, with $6 million being funded each by the Town and County.
Attention now turns to fully funding the County’s share of improvements through the 2025 capital plan, which as of yet has not been adopted. In 2019, Deputy Minority Leader Drucker and the Minority Caucus secured $3 million for the effort, and he is fighting for the inclusion of the final $3 million as capital plan negotiations continue. A 13-member supermajority vote is required to pass bond authorization items.
Deputy Minority Leader Drucker is also bringing together community stakeholders to ensure unique trails and natural assets within the Preserve will remain in pristine condition and that no harmful changes will occur following the transfer.
“For more than five years, my constituents have sought a solution that will address their concerns about Stillwell Park and Preserve and preserve this multifaceted community hub and natural treasure – and this agreement is an important step toward that goal,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “However, without adequate funding in place, these are only plans on a page, and it is time for County Executive Blakeman to meet with the Democratic caucus so that we can complete the 2025 capital infrastructure plan and fulfill our shared vision for Stillwell Park and Preserve and other essential upgrades across Nassau County.”