The Garden City Board of Trustees has adopted a new measure to help ensure fair and non-discriminatory enforcement of its current resident-only park admission policy. The new policy applies to Hemlock Park, Tullamore Park, Grove Park, Edgemere Park and Nassau Haven Park.

"It is the policy of the incorporated Village of Garden City that its parks are to be used by Village residents only," explained Mayor Gerard Lundquist at the May 5th Board of Trustees meeting. "Furthermore, while enforcing the residency requirement, recreation staff will not challenge residency based on race, color, sex, age or other protected classification of park users."

A large group of members from ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, protested Garden City's resident-only park entrance policy at the February 3rd Board meeting. The group claimed it is discriminatory and demanded that the Village allow people to use the parks regardless of residence.

Upon entering a park, users will now have to complete an entry form listing the user's name and address and if applicable, the names of any non-resident guests. Non-resident caregivers will also be required to complete the forms, including the name and address of their resident employer or family member. Park users who refuse to comply will be asked to leave.

People can use the park without signing a form if no employee is on duty. Employees will be required to announce that all users in the park when he/she arrives to work must complete a form if they have not done so already.

Once a park user completes the form with a Garden City address, they will not be required to present proof of residency or any other identification. However, a random sampling of forms will be checked for accuracy against a reverse directory telephone directory and/or another recent, accurate listing of Village residents.

Any person who has signed a form and is not listed as a resident will receive a letter asking them to call to discuss the discrepancy. If no response is received or the letter is returned as undeliverable within 10 days, the Village will have the right to bar the user from using the park until he/she presents identification or proof of residency.

The Village will immediately investigate any discriminatory complaints. Any park employee will be subject to disciplinary action if the allegations are found to be true. The Village will also conduct anonymous audits to determine if the residency requirement is being enforced in a non-discriminatory manner. All parks will be audited at least once during a three-year period.

"Village staff will monitor how well the policy works and periodically report back to the Board with their comments," said Trustee Peter Bee.

New trustees Thomas Lamberti and Donald Brudie abstained from the vote because they did not have enough time to become familiar with the issue. Trustee Brudie replaces Peter Negri, who resigned in March due to health reasons.

Other News

Kevin E. Ocker, director of recreation, gave a short presentation on the status of the St. Paul's open space improvement project. The project includes construction of a playground and comfort station. The sewer line will be installed the week of May 9th, with building construction to follow. The contractor has been given 100 days to complete the entire project. Even though one practice field will be out of service for a few weeks during the excavation phase, no interruption of planned activities is anticipated, according to Ocker.

The 940-square-foot comfort station will include a recreation department supervisor's office and a public bathroom with four commodes and sinks. Two playground areas will be constructed for children ages 2 to 5 and ages 5 to 12, and will be surrounded by a four-foot, estate-style fence.

Mayor Lundquist announced that the Long Island Rail Road will hold public hearings on June 14, 16 and 21 to hear comments relating to the third rail and Main Corridor improvements. Even though the LIRR has not yet determined the scope of the project, Mayor Lundquist encouraged residents to attend a hearing to voice concerns. More details, including time and place, will be forthcoming.

Trustee Bee said the Board will be closely monitoring the proposed move of the Family Court to the Mineola complex.

Trustee Robert Rothschild reminded residents that several officers in the Village police department have been trained to check child car seat installation. According to Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo, officers have found the vast majority of seats are improperly installed. The free service is available to residents and non-residents. The department also has car seats that the public can borrow. Call 465-4100 to make an appointment or for more information.