The commissioners of the Manhasset Park District held a public hearing on July 15 at Town Hall to inform the public of its possible acquisition of parkland and to receive public comments. Park District Commission Chairman Bernard Rolston opened the meeting and explained that the district had hired the engineering firm of Dvirka and Bartilucci to analyze the district's properties and compare them to those of similar, neighboring districts. Commissioner Mark Sauvigne read the legal notice that had been published in the Manhasset Press and Newsday announcing the public hearing.

According to Mr. Tony Conetta, who represented Dvirka and Bartilucci at the meeting, the Manhasset Park District was established in 1921 and covers 3300 acres. Presently the district has 4.7 acres devoted to parks. They are comprised of .10 acre triangle at Park Avenue and Nassau Avenue; .01 War Memorial on Plandome Road; open space adjacent to Lord & Taylor of 1 acre and a larger open space at Country Club Drive and Shelter Rock Road of 3.59 acres.

Mr. Conetta stated that potential uses of parkland would include open space, trails, horseback riding, bicycle paths, ball fields, playgrounds, science/environmental program areas and botanical centers. "Large acquisitions," he said, refer to properties of 100 acres, plus or minus; "limited acquisitions" refer to properties in the vicinity of 10 acres. The Manhasset Park District is currently considering a "limited acquisition."

Property owned by Federated Department Stores and situated adjacent to the Manhasset Macy's parking lot consists of approximately 7.5 acres, which the Park District Commissioners consider suitable for athletic fields. The property is 100 percent wooded at present and has no residences. Should the park district acquire the site, the commissioners envision open fields with two possible buildings-one to be used for maintenance equipment and one for an office and restrooms.

Prior to the July 16 meeting, the Manhasset Baseball League, the Manhasset Soccer League and the St. Mary's CYO conducted surveys of their members asking their opinion of the possible land acquisition by the district. As might be expected, they were overwhelmingly in favor of such acquisition by approximately 92 percent to 1 percent with 7 percent undecided.

Before the meeting was opened for public comment, Commissioner Sauvigne read into the record a letter from St. Mary's "fully in support" of the acquisition. John Kiggins and Frank Coughlin Jr. both reiterated the CYO support for the acquisition.

The next speaker was Phyllis Clark of Terrace Manor who said she was speaking on behalf of Charles Dunn of Whitney Place. She stated that Mr. Dunn was "furious about the quality of life" that would be damaged by the acquisition and concerned about real estate values in the area.

John Walter, former mayor of Flower Hill, spoke next. Mr. Walter said he found the proposal very interesting but had a number of questions. He asked whether the property would be sold by the present owner or condemned by the Park District. He was told that either was possible. He asked a number of questions relative to the management of the playing, the fees and the policy concerning the use of the fields by non-district residents. Mr. Rolston said that these decisions would be made after the property was acquired. "We're trying to show that the Manhasset Park District is deficient in parks. The initial land acquisition would probably cost in the neighborhood of $2 million." Mr. Walter replied, "If you acquire just to acquire, when you go to the final proposal, you should spell out these issues."

Rae Dowling of Terrace Manor expressed concern about the environment of the 7 acres, including trees and bird life. She asked why the district didn't try to acquire Valley Park. Commissioner Patricia Roberts replied that the park is owned by Nassau County and the district has been dealing with the county without success.

William D'Antonio of Munsey Park complained that the district was presenting "a pig in a poke" to which Commissioner Rolston said that the $2 million figure is fairly certain. "We have complied with all legal requirements for this hearing," he said. Commissioner Sauvigne added that private funds would be sought for maintenance purposes once the property has been acquired.

There were a number of children present at the meeting, the boys in baseball uniforms and they made their point by their presence. Speaking on their behalf were Ed Kitt, John Kiggins, Andy Palmedo, president of the Manhasset High School Booster Club, and Jim Judge, a trustee of the Nassau County PAL and one of the founders of the Manhasset Baseball League. "To say we're in dire need of fields is embarrassing," he said. "This is an ideal choice that would benefit thousands of children, with no traffic or parking problems. We can't lose another golden opportunity to do the right thing." Joe Janik of the Girls Softball League called attention to the fact that one reason fields are so badly needed is the proliferation of girls sports. "I appreciate owls and egrets," he said, "but little girls are more important."

Asked about the timing of the acquisition, Commissioner Rolston said that if it goes forward it could happen in 90 days. "If Macy's is amenable," he said, "it will be faster than condemnation.

Karen Holm, president of the Terrace Manor Civic Association asked the district to continue the hearing, citing the fact that it is now the middle of summer and many residents are on vacation. She informed the district "your communication is not so great." Phyllis Clark, former president of the Greater Council and of the Terrace Manor Civic Association asked for a copy of Dvirka and Bartilucci's report and was told it would be made available to her.

Ray Rice of Colonial Parkway, an urban planner said, "I am in admiration of the creativity of this board. Your engineers did a fair and credible presentation. When we tried to do something similar 40 years ago we were told that "we don't need parks in Manhasset. We've got our country clubs." He went on to speak of the athletes who have received college scholarships because they had the opportunity to practice sports.

After three and-a-half hours the hearing was closed and decision reserved. Commissioner Rolston subsequently told the Manhasset Press that the board will make its decision soon. He said that the support for fields and parks was evident at the hearing. "There are concerns about how it will be used and developed," he said. "The first step is to acquire the land and then determine usage. The board is completely open. At present we're not providing the infrastructure of parks to our residents. We'd be derelict in our duty if we did not try this."