In what one civic leader has called "the greatest thing that has ever happened to East Hills," the New York State Air National Guard formally handed over the control of their former base to the Village of East Hills in the "transfer day" ceremonies that took place last Saturday.

The sunny day attracted a crowd of over 1,800 people to East Hills, making it the largest event in the village's 69-year history.

For the past half century, the U.S. Air Force operated the 50-acre land in East Hills as an active military base. In the past decade with the Cold War over, military bases all across the country have been closing down. And for the past six years, Village of East Hills officials have envisioned a state-of-the-art park for its residents once the base in their village shut down.

East Hills Mayor Michael R. Koblenz said work on the new park will begin next month. If all goes well, the facility, to be simply known as "The Park at East Hills" should be open to East Hills residents in a year and a half, by spring, 2002. Over 300 local residents have volunteered to serve on committees that will draft and finalize the park's design. Village officials claim the level of participation is believed to be the biggest ever in East Hills history.

According to Mayor Koblenz, the volunteers will propose, "subject to financial constraints and overview by the Board" plans for new facilities and sports, recreational, and athletic amenities for the new park. Among the committees include those are athletic exercise, baseball, basketball, senior community, a children's playground, a community center, a court house, a nature walk, a police station, a pool, a roller blade/bicycle path, and a redesigned village hall.

Colonel Bobby Brittain, one of the highest-ranking officers in the New York Air National Guard, joined Air Force officials in ceremoniously lowering the military flag over the base and then hoisting the East Hills flag. "For some," he said, "this is a sad occasion with 50 years of fond memories. For others, it is a new beginning, a celebration."

In his remarks, Mayor Koblenz said that new beginning represents "developing the rarest and richest crown jewel that our village has ever possessed." The mayor also praised the Air National Guard for being "wonderful neighbors," while noting that their personnel had not just assisted in the national defense from the base in East Hills, but had also helped the village whenever a local disaster had struck. "If we have any problems, I am leaving the key under the mat for you to come back," the mayor joked to the Air Force personnel attending the ceremony.

The day also featured performances by a military color guard and Roslyn High School dancers, singers, and band members, the signing of the deed by representatives of the U.S. Air Force, and village proclamations to state and federal elected officials who were instrumental in the purchase of the base. The officials cited by the village were: Rep. Gary Ackerman, Assemblymen Thomas DiNapoli and David Sikidman, State Senator Michael Balboni, former East Hills Mayor Larry Aaronson, and Roslyn Water District Chairman Jack Russo.

A representative for Rep. Ackerman said that the congressman considers the park transfer to be "the biggest thing he has done since he has started representing Nassau County" in the U.S. Congress. For his part, Assemblyman Sidikman claimed that the park, when completed, would be a "showplace that will be the envy not only of Nassau County, but New York State."

Assemblyman DiNapoli was cited for making the park a Groundwater Protection Area. In turn, Assemblyman DiNapoli thanked Mr. Russo for "pointing out the feasibility of such a plan."

Indeed, Mr. Russo was one of the day's stars. When awarding Mr. Russo his proclamation, Mayor Koblenz recalled that the water district chairman gave his full support to the project six years ago. Mr. Russo now serves as chairman of the Air National Guard oversight committee. For all his work, Mr. Russo was also given a standing ovation by the crowd that packed into one of the park's armories. Village Attorney William Burton was also cited by Mayor Koblenz for organizing the day's events.

Village officials also planted a time capsule to be opened 50 years from now. The time capsule featured artifacts of life in East Hills and mementos from the Air Force's time in the village. Some of the items in the time capsule include a Subway World Series 2000 official program, a $200 gift certificate from Rallye Motors redeemable in the year 2050, the 2000-2001 Zagat Survey of Long Island restaurants, the latest East Hills Record published by the village, plus various Air Force medals, ribbons, patches, and handbooks.

The property purchased by the village is the last remaining open tract of land in the community. Over 300 East Hills residents have volunteered to serve on committees that will draft and finalize the park's design. Village officials claim the level of participation is believed to be the biggest ever in East Hills history.

As noted in previous issues of The Roslyn News, the total cost of the park to the village is $2,980,000. The village has already made a $302,000 downpayment with such funds coming from recent budget surpluses. The balance of the purchase price is anticipated to be paid from the sale of properties now owned by the village, including the current Village Hall on Town Path Road. The park itself will contain a new Village Hall for future Board of Trustees to do the village's business.

The Roslyn Air National Guard Station was once a part of the 230-acre estate of Clarence Mackay, a millionaire contemporary of the Morgans, Vanderbilts, and Whitneys. At its peak, the estate employed 400 people and entertained such royal visitors as the Duke of Winsdor, plus the famed aviator Charles Lindberg, who was honored on the estate following his return from Europe in 1927.

In 1938, Mr. Mackay died. Shortly afterwards, the main house of the estate was destroyed by a fire.

The property's first military use came during World War II, when the U.S. government leased part of the estate as an Air Defense Post of the First Fighter Command. Later, from 1948 to 1959, the site was the home of the 26th Air Division's Air Defense Control Center, which controlled the air defense of the entire Northeast. During this period, the site was known as the Roslyn Air Force Station.

Formal title to the site changed in 1953, when the U.S government discontinued leasing the 50 acres. Up until now, the station was owned by the United States Air Force. Since 1959, New York State has had a lease on the station for its use as a communications, electronics, and civil engineering training site for the Air National Guard.