click for larger image click for larger image


Hempstead Lake State Park encompasses the largest lake in Nassau County. In addition it includes three fishing ponds. Warmwater species may be caught in all locations. Car top boats are permitted. A variety of recreation is offered including tennis courts, miles of multi-use trails, picnic groves and even a historic hand carved wooden carousel. The park is open year-round thereby offering ice skating, ice fishing and cross-country skiing in winter.

Attractions - Hempstead Lake State Park is a multi-use facility. Included are 20 tennis courts, children's playgrounds, bridle trails for horse back riding, biking and hiking trails, shaded picnic areas and a historic hand carved wooden carousel. A picnic pavilion may be reserved for large parties. There are three ponds that are accessible for fishing. On Hempstead Lake, the largest lake in Nassau County, you are permitted to use car top boats with an annual permit issued from the Park. McDonald Pond and South Pond are stocked with trout in the fall and you may target trout throughout the winter months. Other species present include large mouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, perch, tiger muskies and sunfish.

Recreation - Hempstead Lake State Park offers biking, a boat launch site, a bridle path, fishing, concession, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, picnic tables, a children's playground, play fields, recreation programs and tennis courts. Winter season activities include ice fishing, ice skating and cross-country skiing.



Kenneth Roberts describes these areas in his historical novel of the Revolutionalry War as imenetrable, mosquito-infested swamps where loyalists hid from the rebels. In the main picnic area is the only mechanical amusement device found i of the state parks on Long Island a children's carousel. This carousel was built around the turn of the century by M.C. lions of Coney Island and was donated to state parks by August Heckscher around 1931. Prior to it being erected at Hempstead Lake it was a "traveling knock down type". The wooden horses are hand carved and their tails contain real horse hair. The wooden chariots are also hand carved. In 1981 the carousel was closed due to lack of funds for proper maintenance. the local village of Rockville Centre approached State Parks with an offer to rehabilitate and operate the carousel the local parks. An initial agreement was made and plans to move the carousel were undertaken. Local residents in West Hempstead and Lakeview then rallied together and gathered petitions. This public outcry stopped the relocation. Over a period of many months the carousel was rehabilitated. After having stood idle for four years, the sound of children were once again heard from the carousel. Annual attendance at the park averages 500,000 people.


Heckscher Carousel, Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead, NY Illions, circa 1920, 3 row, Portable, Donated to park in 1931 by philanthropist August Henscher; in storage 4 yrs;1984-85 Restored. History: Belmont Lake State Park; Belmont, NY, unk? to ?; Hempstead Lake State Park, W. Hempstead, NY, 1931 to present.


CREDIT: Town of Hemstead, New York