Halls Pond Park has been nominated by West Hempstead Civic Association President Rosalie Norton to be preserved in accordance with the Nassau County Environmental Bond Act Program.

Last November, the citizens of Nassau County overwhelmingly voted to approve a $50 million Open Space, Clean Water Environmental Program to protect Nassau County's drinking water, preserve open space and remaining farmland, protect bays and harbors, and enhance, as well as add new parks and recreational facilities.

The program authorizes the county to fund projects in four areas: open space and parkland acquisition, parkland improvement, storm water quality improvement and brownfield remediation.

Here is Norton's description of Hall's Pond Park as part of the nomination form:

Hall's Pond Park is located within the unincorporated hamlet known as Lakeview/West Hempstead, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York.

This park deserves and needs to be considered for funding through the Environmental Bond Act Program because of its environmental and community value. Over the years aesthetic degradation has occurred through lack of adequate funding by the county to properly maintain Hall's Pond Park.

Funds are needed to restore, enhance and improve upon this uniquely significant area which is located entirely within a residential setting. Funding for the necessary improvements would enable an expansion of the cultural and recreational uses currently enjoyed by adults and children.

The pond needs to be dredged primarily because of problems created by the increasing number of geese who foul the water. A properly functioning aeration system is imperative to provide oxygen which is needed to improve both aquatic and plant life, as well as to reduce sedimentation. This would help eliminate much of the stagnant water which currently accumulates. This stagnant water becomes a health hazard during warmer months because of mosquitoes.

It is important to note about 12 years ago an aeration system was installed by the county. Unfortunately the system after a short period of time developed a major problem. The pump burned out and was replaced, but the new pump experienced the same burn out. The pumps could not work properly. It was determined after careful examination the failures were occurring because of a poorly designed system. As a result, further attempts to correct the problem have been abandoned.

All of the walkways in Hall's Pond Park need to be repaved and lighting installed throughout the park. This is necessary to improve access to the many cultural, educational and recreational programs conducted at the park which are sponsored by community organizations.

Some new plantings and additional landscaping is needed to improve the visual character of the park. To help maintain and improve existing and anticipated plantings, there is a need for an irrigation system providing water to facets/spigots at the north end of the park, by the gazebo. All of the trash receptacles need to be replaced with new attractive ones to help achieve the improvement of the visual character of the Park. Existing trash receptacles are a conglomeration of oil drums, old wire mesh containers and mismatched cans and lids.

With thousands of visitors each year, Hall's Pond Park has been the site of many educational, cultural and recreational programs. The wooded area just north of the Park needs to have nature trails created for use by various groups providing educational and environmental study programs.

The geographic location of Hall's Pond Park is extraordinary. It is situated on Nassau Boulevard and Hempstead Avenue. Unlike many parks within Nassau County, Hall's Pond Park is accessible to the public through different modes of transportation. Hempstead Avenue is a major bus route to and from many areas in the County. The Southern State Parkway, Exit 17N(Hempstead Avenue) is only a three short blocks away. The park is also within walking distance of an elementary school, two middle schools, and a high school.