Island Park

The little community of Island Park exists in a unique state between a resort destination and a small town. The island consists of three sections: Barnum Island and the incorporated village of Island Park are together on the main part of the island, separated only by the Long Island Rail Road’s tracks, while Harbor Isle sits across a small man-made channel, connected by two bridges. All three sections function as a single town, sharing a school district and ZIP code and, most importantly, holding events as one tight-knit community. This community has a laid-back, homey vibe and a lifestyle that revolves around the water. “It’s an active little town,” says Michael Scully, the broker and owner of Century 21 Scully Realty and a lifelong resident of the community. “Everybody knows everybody. It’s a small community, so it’s pretty close-knit.” Frequent community events, from smaller weekly gatherings at the library to Little League games and annual festivals, help build Island Park’s tight-knit, caring atmosphere. One of the community’s most popular annual festivals, the Feast of San Gennaro, features a variety of Italian food, games, rides and more. Between Island Park’s beautiful waterfront location and caring community, few people want to leave once they settle down on the island. “It’s generational,” Scully says. “We’ve had families here since the 1930s, and then we have people who came five, 10 or 30 years ago and made it their own town. You have a lot of people who stay.”

The island was among the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, with The New York Times reporting that 95% of its homes were damaged. The community bounced back with a bevy of new construction, rebuilding or raising many homes on top of cement slabs to protect against future flooding, while others were designed so that the first floor consists only of a garage. As a result, many of the homes in Island Park are now more resilient to flooding. “A lot of people stayed and improved their homes,” Scully says. “It’s really improved our community for the future.” And thanks to the village’s long coastline, it has an abundance of waterfront homes, many of which have private docks where residents can keep small boats or launch kayaks. These homes are reasonably priced compared to other homes in Nassau County. Most homes fall between $500,000 and the high $600,000s, though luxury waterfront homes can rise to about $1.5 million. “You get a little more for your money in Island Park,” Scully says, a fact which helps give homebuyers room to grow. This has led to a very steady housing market. “If you’re priced right, you’re seeing a lot of activity and a lot of offers,” Scully says.

The village is served by the Island Park Union Free School District, which has an A-minus rating on Niche and consists of only two schools, keeping class sizes small. Children spend pre-kindergarten through fourth grade at Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School before moving on to Lincoln Orens Middle School. They then attend Long Beach High School in the Long Beach City School District, which Niche gives an A rating.

Out of the island’s handful of beaches, Masone Beach is perhaps the most popular. It’s the perfect spot to stretch out and relax on the sand or go swimming in the bay’s calm waters. These calm waters are the perfect spot for many children to learn to swim, and lessons are held daily during the summer. Activities like swimming, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing are big parts of life in Island Park. “All you see is water, water, water,” Scully says. “You start your swimming lessons here, and then you blink your eyes and you’re 16, surfing in Long Beach.” Children also love the beach’s playground and splash pad, and its basketball and handball courts make it a great place to challenge your friends to a game. Summer concerts and gatherings are held at the park’s gazebo, which residents often rent out for parties.

Despite its small size, Island Park is overflowing with great places to eat, many of which have been staples of the community for decades. Try the baked stuffed clams or lobster mac and cheese at Peter’s Clam Bar, which has been serving the community since 1940, or go to Jordan Lobster Farms to experience truly out-of-this-world lobster rolls. Seafood is king on an island, but there are a wide variety of cuisines to enjoy in Island Park, from pizza at Jack’s Pizzeria or steak at Jimmy Hays Steak House to ceviche at Ananau Peruvian Cuisine. When you want to cook at home, pop over to King Kullen to grab groceries. Despite its small size and laid-back pace, Island Park has nearly everything residents need, and its central location makes it easy to find more excitement when residents want it. Bigger beaches and shopping at Long Beach are just over a mile away. “The beauty of it is over the bridge in Long Beach you have the Atlantic Ocean and the boardwalk, which is just minutes away, so we get the best of both worlds,” Scully says. “It’s a little quiet and we have our own things, but when you want the big ocean, it’s there for you.” The commute to New York City is also reasonable, as Island Park Station’s train reaches New York City in about 50 minutes. At the end of the day, Island Park is truly a home where residents know they’ll always be able to return to relax and rejuvenate. “It’s a lot of little things, from the beach to the park to fishing and kayaking, the feast and the library and Masone Beach,” Scully says. “It all just adds up to this perfect little place. We love it.”

Written By

Christina Norwood

Photography Contributed By

Jeff Siegel

Video By

Andrew Sutton