Over 2,000 people showed up to officially open The Park at East Hills, the 50-acre complex that local politicians were already hailing as one of the finest parks in all of America.

"This is a great day for those of us who spent nine years working on this park," said East Hills Mayor Michael R. Koblenz as he spoke before the large crowd assembled in lawn chairs and blankets on the outfield of a Little League field as they listened to testimonies by local dignitaries.

In addition to thanking his fellow members on the board of trustees and Village Attorney William Burton, Mayor Koblenz also praised the East Hills community for being so receptive to the idea of a park.

On a more melancholy note, the mayor also thanked Noel Kaplan, a BOE member who passed away as the park was being constructed. "We all miss Noel, and I know he is smiling down on us as the work has come to fruition," the mayor said.

Also receiving kudos from the mayor were the offices of Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, plus those of State Senator Michael Balboni, Assemblymen Thomas DiNapoli and Chuck Lavine, Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson and US Rep. Gary Ackerman, for various grants and assistance. He also praised the work of Ward Associates for the splendid design layout.

The mayor concluded his comments by declaring that the park will "create a stronger sense of community" in East Hills, making people "prouder than ever" to live in the village, which, coinciding with the park's completion, is also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Senator Balboni and Assemblyman Lavine both praised the village for building, in Lavine's words, "one of the great parks" in America. Senator Balboni added that construction of the park will protect the local environment.

The evening also featured a spectacular fireworks display and a concert by recording artist Taylor Dayne. Both Roslyn Highlands and Roslyn Rescue assisted with the fireworks display, while officers from the Sixth Precinct were on hand for crowd control.

The park idea was first broached when the longtime East Hills Air National Guard station, was scheduled for closure.

The village paid $3,010,000 for the 50-plus acres on Dec. 9, 2000. According to village officials, the property alone is now considered worth more than $50 million.

The costs for the new facilities are funded by the taxes that the residents pay. The new facilities include a 12,000 sq. foot swimming pool, a park grille surrounding the heated pool, a senior center, two age distinct children's playgrounds, six tennis courts with a new tennis building, two multi-use sports fields, a fitness room, a nature and jogging trail, a fully renovated auditorium, a picnic area, a second general use field for lawn games, a bike, rollerblading and walking path, two basketball courts, and two "bark parks" for different size canine members of the family. Additionally, on snow-filled days, a 300-ft. snow mountain constructed on the property will be open for sledding.