"[We are] way ahead of the game," is how East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz describes the latest update on the Park at East Hills, the village's ambitious effort to convert the 50-acre former Air National Guard land site located past Roslyn High School.

Currently, the biggest news concerning the park is that the village will hold a vote on a $25 million bond act, scheduled for Tuesday, March 5. Prior to the vote, the village plans to hold public hearings on the matter. In fact, the village is holding regular meetings on park plans in general, including slide shows illustrating how certain areas of the park will look. Residents may call 621-4251 for updates on such meetings.

The $25 million bond will be paid for over a 22-year period. Mayor Koblenz reiterates that he does not want the village to go past the $25 million level. Part of the bond will go toward the complete maintenance of the park site. Mayor Koblenz is also pleased with the village's recent sale of its old village hall site on Town Path Road. The village, Mayor Koblenz said, sold the property for $3.3 million, which exceeds the $3.01 million the village paid for the Air Force property. The mayor continues to tout the park as a "win-win situation" for the village, noting that it will be open 12 months a year and will include an indoor pool for the winter months. The park will include no user fees for village residents.

The village continues to look for volunteers for its various committees. Currently, the village has set up no less than 23 committees in planning for various parts of the park's operations. Jack Russo, the village's water district chairman, serves as chair for the Air National Guard oversight. Other committees include those for baseball and basketball fields, plus a children's playground, the community center, the court house, the police station, the pool and a nature walk. There are also committees for demolition, landscaping, general renovation, security, special events, traffic, and the redesigning of village hall. Once the bond is passed, then construction plans can begin.