At a recent meeting of the Hicksville Gardens Civic Association, residents had the opportunity to voice their concerns to Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Joe Muscaralla regarding the area surrounding Tudor Park. Muscarella attended the meeting in place of Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano who could not due to a death in the family.

A key issue of concern, said resident Frank Goban, is the condition and use of Tudor Park, located just west of South Oyster Bay Road, between Tudor Road and Lyons Court.

"We have a park there that I, as a resident here, fought to get for our children to use," said Goban. "Today, our children can't use that park because it is being utilized by people who play soccer. Every day, and all day Saturday and Sunday, there are a bunch of people coming in that don't belong. I have nothing against soccer, but the thing is that we, as residents, can't enjoy a quiet weekend."

Goban also said that use of the park should be limited and not used on a daily basis from nine in the morning to six at night. "If you're going to put your organized sports on us, into our parks that were set up for our children to use, that is not fair to the kids in the area who cannot use the playground facilities because there is a soccer game going on," he said. "Give us, the residents, a chance because right now we don't have it. I pay as much taxes as anyone else and I'm at the point where I feel my taxes should be cut in half because I don't get any of the privileges."

Nick Sarandis, treasurer of the Garden Civic Association, agreed, saying, "If there are three teams playing soccer there, I would say that at least two do not have permits. We have no problem with them playing soccer, it's just that they are bringing beer and spending the whole day there."

At the meeting, Rob Walker, assistant to town commissioner of parks, stated that the department will look into who is permitted to use the fields and when. "To tolerate people that shouldn't be there, which obviously there are, is something the department will deal with," said Walker. "We will be looking into who does have permits and who does not have the permits, when they are supposed to be there."

Currently, three organizations have permits allowing them use of the fields at Tudor Park. The Hicksville American Soccer Association is permitted to use the fields Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to dark, March through May; Saturday from 9 a.m. to dark, March through July; Sundays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., March through May; and Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to dark, September and October. The Hicksville Ladies Soccer is permitted to use the fields on Sundays from 1 p.m. and dark, April through June, and the Hicksville CYO Baseball Association is allowed on the fields Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to dark, April through September.

Walker said the town will work to eliminate park use by those organizations or individuals who do not have permits. "We will supply you with a number for Bethpage Park and we will get you the permits of those people who are supposed to be there," he said. "If there is ever a time that a person is not supposed to be there, start making calls to Bethpage Park. There is someone there 24 hours a day who will go down and tell them they can't be there."

Goban also requested that the town look into providing additional parking for patrons of Tudor Park in an effort to avoid congestion on residential streets. "I have asked [Supervisor] John Venditto and the people on the council to do something about the parking in this area," said Goban. "If I move my car, when I get back I can't park anywhere. God forbid we need a fire engine or an ambulance, they can't get through."

He added that the alleyway on the side of the Days Inn which goes right into that park could be used for parking. "The big thing is if you guys can work out a situation with the county to reinstall the parking on South Oyster Bay Road and a directive be given to all the teams who use it that they are only to make entry to the park from South Oyster Bay Road," said Gorbin. "Why doesn't the town or the county, whoever has jurisdiction at that point, set up parking there?"

Walker said that changes in the traffic patterns caused Nassau County to eliminate parking on South Oyster Bay Road. "If these are a concern for you, they have to be a concern of ours," he said. "We will talk to the county and see if a change can be made again around the road construction. Also, we will talk to the organizations that do have permits and try to get them to scale the parking back."

While reducing the amount of time people use the park would reduce parking and traffic problems as well as allow local residents access to the field, Goban said it would also reduce pollution in the area. "They are picnicking in the park, drinking beer and leaving garbage all over the place," he said. "Last week, my wife found a bag of garbage on the lawn...Also, there is a sign that says no alcoholic beverages. I am asking...on the part of this civic association to put a stop to it. Give us a break. We are entitled to a break."

Muscarella agreed, saying, "These are viable concerns and the input the residents gave us was excellent. We are happy the residents gave us a list of their concerns regarding littering, lack of concern for people who reside adjacent to the park, traffic flow and the hours the park is used. We will work to control the permits so that the parks are there for local residents and their children to enjoy."

He also said that the residents are the eyes and ears of the Town of Oyster Bay and the Town Board. "People assume that we know all the things that go on on a day-to-day basis, but we don't until they bring it to our attention," said Muscarella. "By giving us feedback, we can try to take a proactive approach and address those issues that do have an impact on their everyday lives. If you don't get me the message then I can't address the problem."

Walker added that the town is also looking into constructing two additional fields in an industrial area of Hicksville. He did not, however, reveal, where they would be located. In the meantime, he said, "If you allow them to play a few nights out of the week, then the league can't say anything when you say they can't play there. It's a happy medium."

Goban agreed, "It would be a happy medium we're not against."