On Wednesday, September 24, community leaders, residents of Port and consultants participated in a workshop discussion to draw out ideas on the proposed Baywalk Park Project on Shore Rd. The meeting, which attracted about 40 to 50 participants, was held in the Port Washington Senior Citizens Center in Manorhaven.

After opening remarks by Port North Mayor Thomas J. Pellegrino, Dr. Irwin Kellner, chair of the steering committee presented the mission statement and introduced the consultants. Mr. Kevin McAndrew, the project manager for Cameron Engineering, outlined a timetable, which estimated that the project should begin the implementation of final plans in 2004. McAndrew repeatedly underscored the concept that the purpose of this meeting was to develop ideas for the 4.3 acres adjacent to Shore Rd. and bordering Manhasset Bay.

A second consultant, James Antonelli of Sidney B. Bowne & Son, led a slide presentation, which outlined some of the existing opportunities and constraints. Antonelli's bright picture of the opportunities on the waterfront were mixed with the realities of Shore Rd. which handles 20,000 vehicles daily with only two pedestrian crossings in the 1800 foot section under study.

The consultants arranged the participants into five planning groups of approximately five members each. The groups offered their comments and concerns on matters such as security, parking, pedestrian safety and maintenance of the facility. Dr. Kellner noted the issues raised and said all the comments including the worksheet summarizations would be forwarded to the steering committee for further review and dissemination to the public. Kellner thanked the attendees and labeled the meeting as the beginning of an ongoing process, which had just 'scratched the surface' on the project's development.

A second public hearing on the Baywalk Park Project will be held November 19 in the Senior Center in Manorhaven. The planning stage of this project should be completed some time next year.

Prior to this meeting, officials of the Village of Port Washington North met briefly with Port News recently and offered a progress report on the project designed to improve the Shore Road portion of the village bordering on Manhasset Bay. In a discussion with Port North Mayor Thomas Pellegrino, trustee Bob Weitzner and Planning Chief Thomas Imperatore, a bold plan was portrayed for Shore Road as an attractive thoroughfare on the Port peninsula. Port North is considered the major stakeholder and for that reason is shepherding the study and keeping its neighboring communities advised.

The concept began several years ago when the Port North village with the help of elected officials Tom DiNapoli and Mike Balboni applied to New York State for a grant allowance to begin studying the possibilities. As a result, the Village was awarded a grant of $165,000. The project, which encompasses just over one-quarter of a mile, was scoped out and a Request For Proposal issued. Two of the firms which responded were selected, The Sid Bowne Company and Cameron Engineering. Cameron recently worked on a similar study for Garden City.

One of the primary issues in the study is the removal of high voltage wiring on utility poles along Shore Rd. Port North officials believe the underground conduits to receive these wires are already in place. Several years ago, the Long Island Power Authority speculated that they would relocate these wires underground if the wiring and poles were ever deemed as a 'visible pollution' in Port North. Village officials believe that time has come and welcomes participation by LIPA as the planning stage progresses.

Port officials are also optimistic about an upcoming workshop sponsored by the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Council on October 9. This agency has offered to assist Port North with village concerns at no cost to Port North residents. The council recently collaborated with Port Jefferson and Glen Cove.