Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $7.7 million grant for shoreline restoration and accessible park in Port Washington on Tuesday at a press conference held in Baxter Estates.
The investment will help repair the eroded Baxter Beach shoreline on Shore Road in Port Washington and provide funding for an accessible park sought by Port Washington North.
Port Washington North will receive $1 million from the governor to create a safe space for children to have fun and socialize and make the playground accessible for those with handicaps and on the autism spectrum.
The shoreline of Baxter Beach has been an issue for many years in Baxter Estates.
Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson said she has been working for 10 years to spread awareness and seek funding to combat the eroded shoreline.
“I’m hearing the trials and tribulations of our local officials here when the extreme weather events become so severe that when flooding ensues, a lifeline is disrupted,” Hochul said. “I come from local government, so I know how challenging it is and how important it is to be responsive and take preemptive actions.”
Haagenson said Shore Road floods during heavy rain and wind storms, leading to a longer commute. Debris often litters the road, and the beach has become increasingly eroded.
Shore Road is an essential route used by approximately 12,000 residents and an estimated 8,000 vehicles weekly. The road serves as the main entrance to and exit for the Village of Baxter Estates, Port Washington North, Manorhaven, and Sands Point.
State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, and Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte have been aiding Haagenson in her pleas for help.
“When anybody would listen, I would say, ‘Let me tell you about Baxter Beach,’” said Assemblywoman Sillitti. “Then, in the governor’s State of the State Address, she said she wanted to invest in shoreline resiliency and combating the effects of climate change. She specifically mentioned Long Island, and that’s when the light bulb went off. I made sure that the Governor’s office had everything they needed to have on this project.”
Sillitti sent photos, documents and letters to the Governor’s office to inform them of the need for shoreline restoration. In February of this year, She brought representatives from Hochul’s office to assess the erosion firsthand with Haagenson.
Hochul’s visit and announcement of funds for Baxter Estates shoreline comes only one week after Nassau County and Baxter Estates had to close one lane of Shore Road due to the severely damaged seawall section, sidewalk and portion of the southbound travel lane.
The county closed the western southbound travel lane until temporary repairs can be made due to the undermining caused by the damaged seawall. The temporary maintenance is anticipated to be completed within 3-4 weeks.
The county has already begun designing the replacement for the damaged seawall section.
“Shore Road is an essential access point for tens of thousands of Nassau County residents and a DOT-designated emergency route, and we must act aggressively to preserve its structural integrity in the interests of public safety, economic development, and environmental presentation,” said DeRiggi-Whitton. “The money the Governor has provided is the best start we could’ve gotten to working on this project.”
“We have no expectation that our small villages have the resources to do what is necessary. So we are part of the solution,” said Hochul. “We need to be able to protect the residents here with this investment. It’s going to be completely transformative.”
DeRiggi-Whitton and Sillitti knew the funding was coming, but Haagenson did not, making the announcement a very happy surprise.
“This generous grant from the Governor will help us restore our Baxter Estates Beach. We are so pleased and proud that the Governor recognizes the importance of maintaining the resiliency of the waterfront along Manhasset Bay and its natural habitat for fish and waterfowl,” said Haagenson.
She extended a special thank you to Angel Vasquez from the governor’s office who has been instrumental in compiling the documents and photos of the eroded shoreline.
This infrastructure project will make Shore Road safe again for the thousands of vehicles that travel it daily and make it safe and walkable again.
“I am a fourth-generation Port Washington resident, and Shore Road is an asset in our community,” said Dalimonte. “The Mayor of Port Washington North Bob Weitzner started Bay Walk, and now, by fixing this beach, it can continue and go all the way down to the Town Dock.”
“Residents walk that road to get to the train, to get to Main Street and our downtown area and they walk it to see a wonderful sunset,” said Haagenson.
Weitzner also expressed appreciation for the state’s support for the accessible playground.
“We wanted to do something special for the community. And that was to build a playground unlike any other on the North Shore that is inclusive and accessible to people and children with handicaps and autism,” said Weitzner. “In an environment that is so divisive, to be able to do something that can be inclusive, and bring people together, and let people see the differences in each other, whether they’re young and old, whether they’re disabled or not. To be able to do this for the entire community is very gratifying.”
“This is going to be a one-of-a-kind state-of-the-art playground for all children to enjoy,” added Sillitti.
The Village of Port Washington North acquired 4.5 acres of open space along Channel Drive in May 2022 to build the accessible park.
Weitzner said that the village now has about $2.4 million in funding for the playground.
The shoreline restoration project’s plan is multipronged.
According to the Governor’s office, the $7.7 million will mitigate coastal erosion and flooding and improve pedestrian connectivity. The proposed construction includes a porous asphalt walk, a rock sill, gabion wall repair, and tidal planting to prevent flooding and erosion.
Elevated overlook walkways, upper-shoreline landscaping, benches, a bus shelter, and energy-efficient lighting will also be built to improve the shoreline for all residents.
The Baxter Beach shoreline restoration project is intended to protect Port Washington residents, attract new visitors, and support the local business district.