Commuters and commercial life in a mid-island Suffolk County hamlet
Many Long Island hamlets market themselves as peaceful and convenient to all hallmarks of suburban life, but very few follow through on that promise as well as Deer Park. In this pocket of Suffolk County, commercial life thrives along the central strip mall corridor down Deer Park Avenue and at the nearby Tanger Outlets. Pride in the local public schools shows in the many maroon-and-gold Falcon lawn signs displayed in midcentury suburban subdivisions. Its mid-island position means that the amenities available to its residents stretch far beyond its borders. “You can get to South Shore beaches in 20 minutes, the North Shore is 20 minutes in the other direction. You get good value – the taxes are within Long Island reason,” says Gina DeMaio, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway’s Vogler Team that was born and raised in Deer Park. “The chamber of commerce is trying to revitalize downtown, we have our own train station. It’s my hometown. A nice, blue-collar, community-oriented small town. Most people that grow up there, stay there.”
Taking Deer Park Avenue to Long Island commuter highways
Deer Park is home to a healthy population of people employed by the medical care industry. Smaller specialist offices and urgent care centers operate out of Deer Park, but the nearest hospital is Good Samaritan University Hospital, about 6 miles away. Deer Park is, like much of Long Island, overall a bedroom community for New York City commuters.
“You have Sunrise Highway, the Southern State, the LIE, Northern State, all on Deer Park Avenue. It’s very convenient for all commuters, no matter what highway you need,” DeMaio says. Manhattan is about 45 miles away on the Long Island Expressway. The hamlet falls between the Wyandanch and Deer Park Long Island Rail Road stations, starting riders on a 1-hour trip to Penn Station. Although Suffolk County Transit buses are not most residents’ primary mode of transportation, a few routes do pass through the hamlet. Long Island MacArthur Airport is about 15 miles away.
Deer Park Ave is a major thoroughfare in Deer Park.
There are several medical facilities along Deer Park Ave in Deer Park.
You can find just about anything you want in Deer Park including an orthodontist.
Fast food and banking are very accessible in Deer Park.
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Blocks of midcentury single-family homes in Deer Park
Closely packed suburban blocks make up much of the hamlet, home to a medley of classic homes styles built in the 1950s through 1960s. While the presence of narrow sidewalks and shady tree canopy varies throughout the hamlet, rows of ranch-style homes, split-levels and Cape Cods are a constant, settled behind pocket-sized lawns usually broken up by short driveways. Although not as prevalent as in some other pockets on the island, New Traditional replacement homes have popped up throughout the hamlet in the past few decades. The median single-family home price in Deer Park is $640,000, higher than the national median of $418,700 given by the National Association of Realtors.
Cape Cod style homes are very common in Deer Park.
There are many Split-level homes from the 1950's and 1960's in Deer Park.
Ranch Style homes can be found all over Deer Park.
Colonial Revival style homes come with large front and back yards in Deer Park.
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College courses at SCCC through Deer Park High
Deer Park Union Free School District earns an A from Niche. Deer Park High School earns an A-minus and allows students to enroll in both AP classes and college level courses held at the nearby Grant Campus Suffolk County Community College. A small northwestern sliver of the hamlet falls into the Half Hollow Hills Central School District, which earns an A-plus.
The Suffolk Community College Grant Campus is located in Deer Park.
Deer Park High School is a top public school located in Deer Park.
Deer Park High School teaches students in grades 9-12.
Half Hollow Hills West High School in Dix Hills ranks 80th in NY state according to US News.
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Shopping and dining at the Tanger Deer Park Outlets
Deer Park is well-known for its commercial districts, including the hamlet-bisecting highway of Deer Park Avenue. “They’re in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most fast-food restaurants in one stretch, just every one possible,” DeMaio jokes. Despite the concentration of nationally recognized logos, plenty of local businesses from diners to garden centers pop up between supermarket-anchored strip malls. The Deer Park Tanger Outlets mall is a destination for major retail shopping or spending some time walking along broad sidewalks between fountain-centered courtyards. The hamlet’s commercial centers are the major focus of a visioning revitalization plan being developed with the Town of Babylon, as are paired concerns like beautification and improving walkability, though implementation is still in the works as of 2024.
Welcome to Tanger Outlets in Deer Park.
Shop at Old Navy at the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park.
Taste the world at the Foodie Fest at Tanger Outlets Deer Park.
Tanger Outlets in Deer Park is a very popular shopping desitnation on Long Island.
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Geiger Park splash park and Babylon town beaches
The Deer Park Public Library keeps the hamlet up to date on upcoming craft groups, seasonal festivities and virtual yoga sessions. Visitors to Geiger Park might play in the splash park or explore a blooming botanical garden during the warmer months but hitting the playground or enjoying views of its central lake are a year-round pastime. More than 800 acres of preserved woodlands, hiking paths and bike trails make up the Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve. The Town of Babylon allows seasonal permit-carrying residents to access South Shore beaches like Overlook Beach for a reduced fee. Houses of worship are scattered throughout the hamlet, including Saints Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church and the Islamic Center of Deer Park.
Geiger Lake Memorial Park is home to one of Town of Babylon's three Interactive Spray Parks.
Take a stroll or a run through the botanical gardens at Geiger Memorial Park.
The serene waters of Geiger Lake in Deer Park has turtles, birds and other local fauna.
Nearby Robert Moses Park is broken up in to 4 areas, each having their own vibe and crowd.
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Festive fireworks and chamber of commerce events in Deer Park
The annual events that happen in Deer Park take many classic forms, whether they’re organized by civic groups or those that may technically lack permits. “On the Fourth of July, it’s a huge fireworks town. Not official fireworks, but people will throw backyard parties, they’re very well-known for that. On Halloween, all of Deer Park goes down Burlington Avenue. It’s become a thing now, I think all the houses have upped their game because they’re known for it,” DeMaio says. The Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, alongside other civic organizations and the local fire department, are known for arranging events like the So Long Summer Soiree and Fall Festival.
Crime and weather patterns in Deer Park
Deer Park has a CAP Index crime score of 3 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. The hamlet experiences four temperate seasons in a year.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Siegel
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Deer Park, NY sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Deer Park, NY over the last 12 months is $650,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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A Charming Farmhouse Cape Welcome to this picture-perfect cedar shake home set on a beautifully manicured, oversized lot. This warm and inviting home has been lovingly cared for and offers several recent thoughtful updates—truly move-in ready for its next owner to enjoy and make lasting memories. A cozy covered front porch greets you before entering into a bright, open floor plan filled with
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Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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