Reconfirmed for the second, third or even fourth time, Garden City's Recreation Commission has approved the installation of a fence at St. Paul's.

The 4-foot, black, estate-style fencing, similar to what was installed across the street along the Garden City Middle School fields, would run 1,000 feet from the St. Paul's entrance west along Stewart Avenue.

Two confirmed property owners associations have approved the fence's installation in letters sent to the village, including the East and Central. Trustees are currently in the process of gathering information before making its final determination.

Trustee Robert Rothschild, board liaison to Cultural and Recreational Affairs, said he's happy about the recent change of heart. "Since the middle school put in place their fence people are looking at that fence and don't appear to think it looks like Holy Rood and are very happy with the look of it," he said at a recent board meeting.

Kevin Ocker, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, noted the fence, if village board approved, could cost approximately $75,000 for the 1,000-foot stretch but noted it could be purchased on a Nassau County contract, which could save the village money in the end.

The middle school purchased their fencing for approximately $74 a square foot and still plans on adding vegetation along the strip.

Once the board holds its own vote, the village will seek funding to pay for the cost of the fence's installation.

In a letter EPOA President Dennis Donnelly sent Mayor Peter Bee, he stated the association is in favor of the fence and would like it to mimic the fencing along the middle school fields and also include vegetative material in front of it to "soften its look."

Pat DiMattia, CPOA's president, too stated her association's approval in a letter to the village. Specifically, the motion was for a fence similar in design to the fencing recently installed at the middle school fields. The vote was passed by a 6 to 3 vote with one abstention.

"As you know the CPOA voted on this issue a few years ago and the majority position opposed any type of fencing structure so this was a difficult issue for our board ... From the CPOA standpoint, there were two reasons for voting for the fence. The first was safety for the children who play on the fields ... The second reason for approving a fence was that some of our board members felt that the new fence at the middle school was aesthetically 'okay' to look at and it doesn't deter from the visual view of the open fields," DiMattia wrote.

Trustee Rothschild noted that this item has come before the recreation commission time and time again. "The recreation commission couldn't remember how many times they've discussed this and approved it..." he said.

Recreation Commission members did say they did not want a full run of vegetation in front of the fence. "People like seeing the fields and I agree with them," Trustee Rothschild added.

Commission members further believe that the walking path should be a secondary discussion, a separate item to be voted on.

Garden City residents back in 2004 questioned the need for the proposed installation of a fence and walking/jogging path at the St. Paul's fields. The recreation department cited safety concerns because those playing fields are so heavily used throughout the year.