| State Park Update: • A Park is Born • Phase 1 Demolition Plan • Master Plan Procedure • Demolition Plan Responsiveness Summary • Demolition Plan News Release • NRSP Marina Improvements Site Plan • Draft Summary of Phase 1 ESA Recognized Environmental Conditions January 24, 2013 . . . It has become apparent that the existence of the Nissequogue River State Park is in danger. Not from developers such as Lamb or Arker, but from the Town of Smithtown – our own represented officials. Tonight at a Town Board meeting, 7:00 PM at the Eugene A. Cannataro Senior Citizen Center, the Town is voting to direct the Town Attorney to communicate directly with the Office of the Governor for the purpose of transferring certain real property from the State located at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center to the Town of Smithtown for recreational purposes. Councilman Robert Creighton, at the last Town Board meeting expressed an interest in obtaining 55 acres of the Nissequogue River State Park. Alienation of this State Park would set a fatal precedence – no matter what the stated purpose. The Town of Smithtown should be joining with the residents, who fought to create this Park and for the clean up to begin, in obtaining a Master Plan for the Park – which would include recreational purposes. Instead, what the Town Board is now doing is putting the Park, not to mention the Kings Park School District, in jeopardy. We will work side by side with the Kings Park Civic Association in this regard. For an update on Park related issues for the past few years, visit The Park Advocate. Thank you - your neighbor, Linda Henninger July 29, 2009 . . . State holds 1st Nissequogue River State Park status meeting. CLICK HERE for details. September 1, 2009 . . . Kings Park Neighbors suspends activity. July 29, 2009 . . . State holds 1st Nissequogue River State Park status meeting. CLICK HERE for details. July 14, 2009 . . . Long Island Pine Barrens Society sends a letter to State Parks Commissioner, Carol Ash, in support of the Park. CLICK HERE for letter. July 10, 2009 . . . Empire State Development Corporation denies KP Neighbors' appeal for unredacted copies of various documents, including one which reveals an "action plan" regarding the former KPPC. Senator Flanagan has sent a letter requesting these documents. CLICK HERE for Senator Flanagan's letter. June 3, 2009 . . . State Parks approves the Proposed Demolition Plan regarding the Nissequogue River State Park. Demolition is expected to begin in approximately one year, following the completion of detailed demolition plans and the award of the demolition contract through the state’s normal competitive bid process. The State notes that removal of the 14 buildings is a preliminary step while a more comprehensive remediation study of the entire Kings Park site is finalized. This study will be completed in the summer of 2010. See above for News Release. Of significance is the following language in the News Release: "Following a public comment period on the first phase of the long-term remediation of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced plans to move forward with the demolition of 14 buildings at the site." KP Neighbors views this language regarding "long term remediation" as positive. June 1, 2009 . . . KP Neighbors has prepared and served on the State an appeal based on the State's redaction of several documents of interest in response to a recent FOIL request. May 12, 2009 . . . Several weeks ago, KP Neighbors' asked County Executive Levy that in the event the LI Regional Planning Council calls for any part of the Nissequogue River State Park to be alienated, he would send a response to the State reaffirming the County's position that the totality of this property remain park. CLICK HERE for the County's response. Mr. Levy again confirmed development of this property remain under the auspice of State Parks and thus be consistent with park and recreation purposes. April 9, 2009 . . . Until such time as the State openly states that this property will not be alienated, groups such as the LIRPC will crawl out of the woodwork and seek to undue the progress that has finally begun with respect to this property. This is not fair to our community. CLICK HERE for KP Neighbors' letter to Commissioner Ash requesting the State publicly commit to this property. April 8, 2009 . . . Kings Park Neighbors' response to Long Island Regional Planning Council's March 27, 2009 letter. CLICK HERE. Senator Flanagan's response CLICK HERE. April 2, 2009 . . . During the last several months, KP Neighbors has been serving various FOIL requests on several State agencies regarding the Nissequogue River State Park. We have also been undertaking legal research regarding the issues surrounding park alienation. Although we are optimistic that State Parks is and will continue to move forward with the remediation and ultimate redevelopment of the entire Park, we understand that we must be ready to challenge the State over any attempts of alienation of this Park. March 29, 2009 . . . Long Island Regional Planning Council has sent a letter to State Parks calling for the alienation of 365 acres of the Nissequogue River State Park and recommending, among other things, housing. CLICK HERE for this letter. KP Neighbors has requested County Executive Steve Levy send a letter to the State reaffirming the County's position that it remain park. KP Neighbors has also met with the Pine Barrens Society, which will be sending a letter in support of the park. All letters in opposition will be posted. March 28, 2009 . . . 1st Annual Nissequogue River State Park Spring Clean Up. CLICK HERE for details and pictures. March 27, 2009 . . . NY State Parks held its first community meeting regarding the Nissequogue River State Park. It was well attended by the community. The Parks Department estimated demolition of the proposed 14 structures will begin in approximately 1 year and the engineering study will be completed by the summer of 2010. CLICK HERE for the State's Proposed Plan/Initial Stage Demolition. February 27, 2009 . . . State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash met with local elected officials and community members today regarding the future of the Nissequogue River State Park. Although the State was unwilling to firmly commit to the future status of the Park, the meeting was positive. State Parks is moving forward with a proposal to remediate 14 of the most hazardous buildings on the site. All elected officials and community members were united in the desire that the entire property remain parkland. The Parks Department will be holding a meeting open to the entire community on March 26th at 7:00 PM at the Kings Park High School Auditorium. CLICK HERE for the State's Proposed Plan/Initial Stage Demolition. February 22, 2009 . . . In reviewing State Park's response to recent petitions seeking to reopen the Park to dog walking, the language they use is notable. They continue to make a clear delineation between the Nissequogue River State Park and the hospital property. Such language seemingly reflects the present administration's unwillingness, thus far, to commit to this property as parkland. We hope they are willing to make this commitment at the upcoming meeting. CLICK HERE for letter. February 11, 2009 . . . State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash plans on meeting with the Kings Park Community to discuss the status of the Nissequogue River State Park. Two meetings are scheduled. The first will be held on February 27th and will be a private conference among elected officials and local community leaders. The second meeting, open to the public, will be held in late March. KP Neighbors will be looking for a firm commitment from Commissioner Ash that the Parks Department considers the former hospital property parkland - not just temporarily being held in Parks - and plans on keeping it parkland into the indefinite future. We are mindful of the condition of the present economy, but with the money Senator Flanagan has already secured, we hope for a time frame for remediation and redevelopment, such as a two, three or four-year period. January 30, 2009 . . . Governor Paterson is seeking to amend Public Lands Law and Real Property Tax Law to freeze payments for taxes on State owned lands to no greater than that of State fiscal year 2008-09. CLICK HERE for proposed amendment. CLICK HERE for Senator Flanagan's response. January 8, 2009 . . . KP Neighbors' reaches out to Congressman Bishop regarding the future of the Nissequogue River State Park. CLICK HERE here for letter. January 2, 2009 . . . KP Neighbors sends several Freedom of Information requests to various NYS agencies regarding the Nissequogue River State Park. November, 2008 . . . Senator John J. Flanagan has decided to permit the state to utilize a portion of the $29 million he secured for the cleanup of the Nissequogue River State Park to undertake an engineering study of the former hospital property. CLICK HERE for Senator Flanagan's letter. CLICK HERE for Newsday article. June 25th, 2008 . . . It appears as though the neither Bill # A11314 (legislatively creating the Nissequogue River State Park) nor Bill # A10720-B (conveying approximately 5 acres of land that was part of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center to the Kings Park Fire District) passed through the Assembly. If they are not passed during a special session prior to the end of this year, they would have to be reintroduced next year in both the Senate and Assembly. June 5th, 2008 . . . KP Neighbors has again requested that Assemblyman Englebright sponsor a Bill to legislatively create the Nissequogue River State Park. The reasons to do so far outweigh any perceived reasons not to, with the paramount reason being the further protection of this park. We also note that although this proposed legislation has been called "precedent setting," Assemblyman Englebright proposed a similar bill in January of 2007 regarding land in Stonybrook. CLICK HERE to read our letter to Assemblyman Englebright. June 4th, 2008 . . . In April, Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick sponsored legislation that would authorize the commissioner of general services to alienate and convey approximately 5 acres of land that was part of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center to the Kings Park fire district, CLICK HERE for proposed Senate bill. June 2nd, 2008 . . . Assemblyman Fitzpatrick sponsored a bill in the Assembly that would create, legislatively, the Nissequogue River State Park. CLICK HERE to view proposed legislation. This is a sister bill to Senator Flanagan's bill that passed the Senate in early May. As this bill is not sponsored/cosponsored by a Democrat, the likelihood of it passing in the Democratic Assembly is slim. We are disappointed in Assemblyman Englebright's decision to not sponsor/cosponsor this bill. May 16th, 2008 . . . We have spoken with Democrat Assemblyman Englebright and have requested that he sponsor/cosponsor a bill in the Assembly that would mirror Senator Flanagan's bill that has passed the Senate which seeks to create the Nissequogue River State Park through a legislative act. If this bill is not sponsored/cosponsored by a Democrat, the likelihood of it passing in the Democratic Assembly is very slim. We await his response. May 12th, 2008 . . . Regarding the St. Johnland Swap, the Town of Smithtown has decided to do a combined study of both the underlying ordinance (CCRC) and St. Johnland's application for a zone change. The cost of the consultant will be borne by St. Johnland. The Town will choose the consultant by way of RFP and will have supervision and authority over the consultant's work assignments. It has been and remains KP Neighbors' position that St. Johnland should not be paying for the underlying ordinance study, as they are direct beneficiaries of the outcome of this study. May 7th, 2008 . . . Senator Flanagan announced Senate passage of the legislation he sponsored that would require New York State to recognize the 2006 expansion of the Nissequogue River State Park. To become law, this legislation will have to pass through the Assembly and be signed by the Governor. To date, the legislation has not been sponsored in the Assembly. April 9th, 2008 . . . Senator Flanagan advises that not only was the 25 million dollars for the clean up of the Nissequogue River State Park re appropriated in the 2008-2009 State Budget, but he was able to secure an additional 4 million. March 20th, 2008 . . . Striving to further protect the park status of the entire Nissequogue River State Park, Senator Flanagan introduced a bill in the Senate seeking to legislatively add the former hospital property (365 acres) to the Nissequogue River State Park. (BILL NUMBER: S7155.) (These acres were originally designated State park administratively in December 2006, by then Governor Pataki) We anticipate Assemblyman Englebright will introduce the same bill in the Assembly. This will further secure the future of the newly expanded park We will monitor the progress of this proposed legislation. CLICK HERE for Newsday article. March 11th, 2008 . . . LIPA Chairman, Kevin Law, during a meeting today unequivocally stated that one of LIPA's goals is to not build one more power plant on Long Island. Another important goal is the re powering of the Northport and Port Jefferson plants, resulting in cleaner and more efficient use. February 29th, 2008 . . . The Town of Smithtown issues a SEQRA Positive Declaration (Determination of Significance) regarding the Town's motion to amend Chapter 322 of the Town Code as it relates to Congregate Care Facility and Continuing Care Retirement Community. At that Town Board meeting, KP Neighbors again stressed how important the Environmental Impact Study is in this matter, calling for a full, careful and independent study. CLICK HERE to view our May 10th letter outlining potential impacts. February 28th, 2008 . . . KP Neighbors has been busy the last few weeks. We have been lobbying such officials as the NYS Smart Growth Director, our local State Smart Growth representative, and various Suffolk County officials regarding the St. Johnland Swap. February 7th, 2008 . . . Senator Flanagan sends a letter to St. Johnland requesting they again consider the St. Johnland Swap, thereby preserving 50 pristine acres of open space. CLICK HERE to read this letter. January 23rd, 2008 . . . Cherokee/Arker lawsuit is decided in favor of New York State. It is unlikely Arker will appeal. CLICK HERE to view court ruling January 22nd, 2008 . . . $25 million for the environmental cleanup of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center has been reappropriated in Governor Eliot Spitzer's 2008 proposed budget. The budget also includes $500,000 to prepare a plan and cost estimates for cleaning up of the former KPPC. December 18th, 2007 . . .The Town of Smithtown issues a SEQRA Positive Declaration (Determination of Significance) regarding The Society of St. Johnland Zone Change (R-43 to RC for the purposes of construction of a Continuing Care Retirement Community of up to 199 residential units.) CLICK HERE to view report. December 10th, 2007 . . .KPNA met to discuss and tour the Nissequogue River State Park with various State and County agencies, including the Chair of the New York State Council on the Arts, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Assemblyman Steve Englebright. CLICK HERE to view a photo. November 26th, 2007 . . .The State has advised that they will not be using studies done by the former potential purchasers of the remaining 365 acres to ascertain the cost of cleanup of the Park, but will instead be moving forward with an RFP to have a new study prepared. This leads to more money being spent and more time before remediation and redevelopment of the Park can begin. November 12th, 2007 . . . KPNA submits comments for the New York State 2008-2009 Budget Hearings, requesting the Governor reappropriate the 25 million dollars for the environmental cleanup of the Nissequogue River State Park and asks for additional money to accomplish the complete redevelopment of this property. CLICK HERE to read KPNA's submitted comments. October 4th, 2007 . . .The community tours the property with the State. October 3rd, 2007 . . . After diligent work by KPNA, the LIA and the Newsday Editorial Board declined to come to tour the KPPC. This is yet another VICTORY for our community. Housing is NOT an option for this property!! CLICK HERE for Newsday's coverage September 30, 2007 . . .Parks Commissioner Carol Ash is scheduled to visit and tour the KPPC property for the first time with a business group, The LIA. The LIA has consistently called for affordable housing on this property. KPNA has expressed our objections to this meeting and have called on Newsday to disclose their participation and alliance with LIA. CLICK HERE to read KPNA's letter to Newsday and their response. KPNA will participate in this meeting and is not planning any protest at this time. September 13th, 2007 . . . Director, Robert Trotta renews KPNA's position in letter to Editor. CLICK HERE for letter. August 15th, 2007 . . . NYS Office of Parks and Recreation released their report of clean up costs for the original Nissequogue River State Park. The cost for Asbestos Abatement ($1,511,820), Air Monitoring ($226,773), Demolition (high estimate - 19 structures $3,993,372), Site Restoration ($1,000,000), Contingency (5% - $336,598). Total - $7,068,563. KPNA believes this is a reasonable estimate and a positive step towards the ultimate clean up of entire parkland. CLICK HERE for excerpts of the State's report. CLICK HERE for Newsday's coverage of the report. August 1st, 2007 . . . KPNA meets with Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Patrick Foye to lobby the State to commit to KPPC and start remediation and redevelopment of the property. April 12th, 2007 . . . KPNA President, Linda Henninger and KPNA Director, Robert Trotta, met with NY State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash to discuss the KPPC and outlined for her the many important reasons that this property must remain state parkland and stressed the importance of immediately starting to utilized the 25 million earmarked for cleanup of the property. January 21st, 2007 . . . Kings Park Neighbors' Association is adamantly opposed to any re designation of the KPPC property by the Spitzer Administration. |