A History Of Our Brookville Nature Park.
After years of languishing, being assaulted by any number of hurricanes, blizzards and other random acts of nature and neglect, the Brookville Nature Park, began a major rehabilitation effort in 2015. Nearly a decade of work has passed in our park — from clearing land, to removing hazardous barbed wire and chain link fencing and then to plant grass, install gardens and trees and make the park more amenable to visitors. But today, anyone who stops by to enjoy the park, can see that the efforts of so many have made all the work worthwhile.
On any given day, you can find residents strolling in the meadow, equestrians trotting through the pasture, people walking their dogs, locals reading on a shady bench, and those who just want to take in the calm of this passive parkland. But it wasn’t always that way.
It is interesting to note that beyond its parkland role of hosting wildlife, horses and people, it once played an important part in the defense of our country. Ironically, that’s also how it became a passive park. So let’s go back over 70 years in time: It was the end of WWII, the Russians were hard at work developing long-range weapons and arms, a Cold War was underway between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and our Federal Government realized that conventional anti-aircraft artillery would not be able to provide an adequate defense in case of a homeland war against the fast, high-flying and maneuverable jet aircraft which were being introduced into service.
On any given day, you can find residents strolling in the meadow, equestrians trotting through the pasture, people walking their dogs, locals reading on a shady bench, and those who just want to take in the calm of this passive parkland. But it wasn’t always that way.
It is interesting to note that beyond its parkland role of hosting wildlife, horses and people, it once played an important part in the defense of our country. Ironically, that’s also how it became a passive park. So let’s go back over 70 years in time: It was the end of WWII, the Russians were hard at work developing long-range weapons and arms, a Cold War was underway between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and our Federal Government realized that conventional anti-aircraft artillery would not be able to provide an adequate defense in case of a homeland war against the fast, high-flying and maneuverable jet aircraft which were being introduced into service.
Brookville Deemed A Perfect Place To Defend Our Country.
The potential threat posed by such aircraft became much more serious when, in 1949, the Russians exploded their first atomic bomb. During the first decade of the Cold War, the Soviet Union also began to develop a sizable fleet of long-range, nuclear-armed bomber aircraft, capable of reaching targets within the continental United States.The outbreak of hostilities in Korea provided a further impetus to get a system up and running that would enable us to protect our cities and other vital targets. The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 provided even more incentive.
Nike, named for the mythical Greek goddess of victory, was the name given to this program which ultimately produced the world's first successful, widely-deployed, guided surface-to-air missile system (SAM). The mission of Nike within the continental U.S was to act as a "last ditch" line of air defense for selected areas. The Nike system would have been utilized in the event that the Air Force's long-range fighter-interceptor aircraft had failed to destroy any attacking bombers at a greater distance from their intended targets. Because of Brookville's proximity to New York City, it was deemed an ideal location to build a site to house missiles that could protect the area.
Nike, named for the mythical Greek goddess of victory, was the name given to this program which ultimately produced the world's first successful, widely-deployed, guided surface-to-air missile system (SAM). The mission of Nike within the continental U.S was to act as a "last ditch" line of air defense for selected areas. The Nike system would have been utilized in the event that the Air Force's long-range fighter-interceptor aircraft had failed to destroy any attacking bombers at a greater distance from their intended targets. Because of Brookville's proximity to New York City, it was deemed an ideal location to build a site to house missiles that could protect the area.
Long Island Considered Vital.
Within the continental United States, these Nike missile sites were constructed in defensive "rings" surrounding major urban and industrial areas. (At the time, Long Island had many Government defense contracts, and in itself, was considered a vital area.)
To protect New York City and critical parts of Long Island — 19 missile bases were built in the suburbs surrounding the city. Long Island had five sites, in Lloyd Harbor, Lido Beach, Rocky Point, Amityville and Brookville. Other bases were built in the city, in Westchester and Rockland counties and in northern New Jersey.
There are few people around who remember the sight of missiles being carted across Long Island on trailers, and today, Brookville's Nike Missile base has nothing more than a cut in the asphalt on the BOCES' parking lot to mark where one of the missiles once stood.
By the early 1970s, new technology was available, the political landscape was entirely different and other factors influenced the deactivation of these sites. By the mid 70s, almost all Nike Missile sites within the U.S. (except Florida and Alaska) were closed and removed, including Nike Battery 23 in Brookville, which became a 43.1 acre parcel of surplus government land that it no longer wanted.
To protect New York City and critical parts of Long Island — 19 missile bases were built in the suburbs surrounding the city. Long Island had five sites, in Lloyd Harbor, Lido Beach, Rocky Point, Amityville and Brookville. Other bases were built in the city, in Westchester and Rockland counties and in northern New Jersey.
There are few people around who remember the sight of missiles being carted across Long Island on trailers, and today, Brookville's Nike Missile base has nothing more than a cut in the asphalt on the BOCES' parking lot to mark where one of the missiles once stood.
By the early 1970s, new technology was available, the political landscape was entirely different and other factors influenced the deactivation of these sites. By the mid 70s, almost all Nike Missile sites within the U.S. (except Florida and Alaska) were closed and removed, including Nike Battery 23 in Brookville, which became a 43.1 acre parcel of surplus government land that it no longer wanted.
The Park That Almost Wasn’t!
In 1973, Brookville acquired two acres for a Village Hall, BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) received 18.6 acres and the Town of Oyster Bay (TOBAY) received 22.5 acres.
In the late 1970s, TOBAY indicated that it did not intend to develop the property and wished to return it to the U.S. Government. At that point, the Government let it be known that the parcel was available. Among those applying to obtain receivership of the land were BOCES, the AHRC (now located on Wheatley Road) and the Federal Aviation Administration (!!), as well as the Village of Brookville and other agencies.
In August of 1978, Mayor Michael Galgano appointed a task force of Brookville residents to examine the various possible uses to which the land could be put. With the help of the Nassau Planning Committee, and various other agencies and groups, an application was prepared and presented to the Federal Government. At that time, Mayor Galgano and members of the Task Force contacted the then Congressman, Norman Lent, and asked for his assistance. He was very helpful throughout the proceedings as was TOBAY in their request that the property be re-conveyed to the Village of Brookville.
In the late 1970s, TOBAY indicated that it did not intend to develop the property and wished to return it to the U.S. Government. At that point, the Government let it be known that the parcel was available. Among those applying to obtain receivership of the land were BOCES, the AHRC (now located on Wheatley Road) and the Federal Aviation Administration (!!), as well as the Village of Brookville and other agencies.
In August of 1978, Mayor Michael Galgano appointed a task force of Brookville residents to examine the various possible uses to which the land could be put. With the help of the Nassau Planning Committee, and various other agencies and groups, an application was prepared and presented to the Federal Government. At that time, Mayor Galgano and members of the Task Force contacted the then Congressman, Norman Lent, and asked for his assistance. He was very helpful throughout the proceedings as was TOBAY in their request that the property be re-conveyed to the Village of Brookville.
After much correspondence and various meetings, the GSA notified our Village that we would be the recipient of the 22.5 acre parcel. But Wait...
After being awarded the land, the Government took it right back (!!) — suggesting there must be a “higher” use for the land than a passive park in Brookville. And so the bureaucracy went to work to look for another usage. At that point, Congressman Lent became very upset with the GSA. Lent approached the other five congressmen from Long Island. All agreed that the GSA had acted poorly on behalf of Brookville. In concert, they approached the GSA and asked that they reverse their decision and allow the original ruling to stand. Finally, with the help of six Congressmen, Senator David Pryor, Chairman of the Senate Oversight Committee of the GSA and many friends, the GSA went along with the request and in March 1980, the property was finally transferred to Brookville!
So what happened next?
When the Government approved the transfer, it also included all the original stipulations that TOBAY had accepted. We did not have to pay for the land, but we did have to follow a 5-Point Program of Utilization if we wanted to keep it. This included installing a system of connecting nature trails to emphasize the diversity of flora and fauna in the area with sitting benches located along the trails; identifying and tagging of native plants, trees and other fauna; along with suitable parking. Besides residents and the general public, schools and major universities in the immediate area (LIU Post, NYIT, LUH1, Jericho) etc., would be invited to use the property for environmental study. Most integral to this parcel of land was "the preservation of open space and the natural environment" and that it would be accessible to all visitors, including those who are physically challenged.
Unfortunately, the administration changed, time marched on and once again the park languished. In 2015, Brookville was contacted by the Federal Parklands Services that we were not keeping to our promise of following the 5-Point Program of Utilization and that we were at risk of losing our Nature Park.
Unfortunately, the administration changed, time marched on and once again the park languished. In 2015, Brookville was contacted by the Federal Parklands Services that we were not keeping to our promise of following the 5-Point Program of Utilization and that we were at risk of losing our Nature Park.
Caroline Z. Bazzini Appointed Parks Commissioner.
Caroline Z. Bazzini, Deputy Mayor, volunteered to work with the Parklands Services and became the first Parks Commissioner in our Village. The rehabilitation of our Nature Park has been an enormous undertaking under her leadership and care, but her years of labor have resulted in a wide number improvements. The park now boosts cleaned and cleared areas for walking, riding, sitting and just plain enjoying the beauty of nature. A Flag garden was installed, Laura Haleman, a resident, loaned art pieces for visitors to enjoy, a new horse corral was put in along with a picnic area and table and benches. All this costs money of course, but all improvements came from non-tax payer sources including grants and other contributions. At the end of April, a new walking path was completed making a full loop around the picnic area and corral.
2025 also saw the ground breaking for a new municipal building currently planned to be built on the 2-acre parcel of land in the park designated for that purpose. For the first time in Brookville’s history, the Village Hall, Police Headquarters, Village Courts and Community Center will all be consolidated under one roof. Although there will continue to be years of improvements in the making, the Park that “almost wasn’t” now has a firm foothold in our future. And of that, we are all very proud.
2025 also saw the ground breaking for a new municipal building currently planned to be built on the 2-acre parcel of land in the park designated for that purpose. For the first time in Brookville’s history, the Village Hall, Police Headquarters, Village Courts and Community Center will all be consolidated under one roof. Although there will continue to be years of improvements in the making, the Park that “almost wasn’t” now has a firm foothold in our future. And of that, we are all very proud.
Hello
What is a Passkey?
Imagine signing into your account as easily as unlocking your phone—no more worrying about remembering or typing a password. A passkey is a secure digital key that uses the safety features in your device to keep your account protected. It’s designed to be both simple to use and highly secure.
Ready to experience a simpler, safer sign-in? Click the button above to create your passkey now.