Waterside living and transit access in Bay Park
Bay Park sits on the north shore of Hewlett Bay on Long Island. With established homes and easy water access, the hamlet attracts boaters, young families and New York commuters looking for a quieter home base. Before construction began in the 1920s, the area was an undeveloped marshland known for its prime fishing spots. Today, you can walk to the beach, a golf course and Main Street restaurants in around 10 minutes, with the Long Island Rail Road close by for commuters.
The local housing scene and cost of living
Most houses in Bay Park were built between the 1920s and 1950s, with Cape Cods, coastal cottages, split-levels and Colonial Revivals lining the streets. There are also some newer builds on the community’s north side featuring Craftsman and modern-traditional architecture. Homes sit close together on compact lots, and most have fenced-in back yards with room for a small deck or patio. Many homes feature private, canal-side docks or views of the bay. The area has a lower median home price compared to the Nassau County median, with single-family homes here starting in the low $400,000s and reaching the upper $800,000s.
Public schools in the area
Local families are served by the highly rated East Rockaway School District. “It’s a very family friendly area,” says Cheryl Rosenthal, broker owner with Realty Trends Corp who has been living on Long Island for over 30 years. “People with kids moving to the area will seek out Bay Park for the schools.” It’s a small district, with just three public schools, all within a mile-and-a-half of the community. East Rockaway High School serves seventh through 12th-grade students and has a long list of career and technical education courses to choose from, with pathways including business, family and consumer science, and technology. The district partners with nearby schools like Farmingdale State College and Nassau Community College to allow high schoolers to earn college credit.
Flood and storm risk
Even though Long Island is far from North America’s hurricane alley, the area still has an increased flooding risk during storm season. Here’s what to know about weather risks if you’re thinking about buying a home in Bay Park:
- Most homes fall within the high-risk flood Zone AE, according to FEMA, but some blocks on the neighborhood’s northwest side face minimal risk.
- Many houses feature raised first levels to avoid water entrance, and owners of elevated homes pay lower insurance premiums.
- Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Nassau County has been working on community projects to reduce risk, from restoring wetlands to improving the Bay Park sewage treatment plant.
- Federally back mortgages often require flood insurance in high-risk zones.
Commute to NYC and JFK
Manhattan is about 25 miles west of Bay Park, but it can take close to an hour and a half to reach Midtown during heavy traffic. Brooklyn is roughly 16 miles and a 50-minute drive away. With New York City traffic, many locals depend on public transit. You can take the Long Island Rail Road from the nearby Oceanside station to the Jamaica station in Queens, a major connecting point to Grand Central and Penn Station. Additionally, John F. Kennedy International Airport is around 25 minutes away by car.
Parks and recreation on the bay
Hewlett Point Park sits on the shore of Hewlett Bay and is a community hotspot in the warmer months. The park has two outdoor pools, picnic tables, athletic courts and about a quarter mile of sandy waterfront where you can sunbathe, swim or paddle board. “The private beach makes it a very unique community,” Rosenthal says. Those who don’t have private water access can rent dock space at the Woodmere Bay or Hewlett Point yacht clubs. The hamlet’s namesake park encompasses most of its eastern peninsula, where visitors can:
- Play a round of nine on the golf course.
- Walk or jog along the paved paths.
- Bring the pups for an afternoon in the enclosed dog park.
- Cast a line from the fishing pier.
For more waterside fun, you can drive about 5 miles south to Long Beach. You’ll also find an array of seasonal events in the community throughout the year. “Trick or Treating in Bay Park is no joke,” says Rosenthal. “Hundreds of kids are walking in the streets with costumes, and peoples' decorations are over the top.”
Businesses on nearby Main Street
There is a quaint Main Street shopping district just north of Bay Park, with businesses ranging from antique stores to cozy cafés. Mush Coffee Shop is a new addition to the neighborhood and serves specialty lattes, tea and baked goods. Haviland Kitchen and Bar is the go-to spot for dinner out, with steak, seafood and specialty cocktails. For groceries and essentials, the neighboring community of Oceanside is home to numerous big box stores and supermarkets. “You’re also close to Merrick Road, which has tons of shopping, and you're a short drive from the Roosevelt Field and Valley Stream malls,” says Rosenthal.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
