East Meadow

East Meadow, a busy suburb of New York City, has grown significantly since its early years as a grazing area for cattle and sheep. During the 1800s, the town’s sheep population were able to meet half the country’s demand for wool. Like most of Long Island’s South Shore, the town is flat with virtually no wetlands, which made the area easy to develop into the active town it is today. Home construction flourished during the 1950s, so the majority of homes are splits, ranches and capes.

Eisenhower Park, a 930-acre property, is run by Nassau County and is one of the town’s most well-known landmarks. The park has three public 18-hole golf courses, three playgrounds, picnic areas and a two-mile fitness trail. During the summer, visitors can attend concerts and movies at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater. In 1998, a modern indoor swimming facility was constructed for the Goodwill Games. It hosts major events and competitions, but is also open to the public. Additional recreational facilities include Speno Park, which has a playground and basketball and handball courts, and Veterans’ Memorial Park, which has a pool.

Another well-known site is Nassau University Medical Center, which is a teaching hospital affiliated with SUNY Stony Brook. At 299 feet, it’s the county’s tallest building, and employs 3,500 people. There are 85 specialty clinics associated with the hospital; its emergency room treats 80,000 people a year. The Nassau County Correctional Center is also located in East Meadow, but it is a highly secure facility. East Meadow is located in Nassau’s First Precinct, which has a low crime rate.

The medical center is located on Hempstead Turnpike, the town’s main thoroughfare. Most residents will find they can meet their daily shopping needs locally at places like Wal-Mart, though Roosevelt Field Mall and Broadway Mall are nearby.

LIRR commuters must travel to neighboring Bellmore or Hicksville to catch the train to the city. Travel time to Penn Station averages about 45 minutes. The town’s location between the Meadowbrook and Wantagh Parkways gives drivers easy access to the county’s other towns and highways.

The East Meadow School district has five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. The student population is 7,481. Test scores are strong across grades and subjects, with the vast majority of student meeting state standards. In 2011 the passing rate for select middle school students taking high-school level Regents exams was an impressive 100%. Both high schools have excellent athletics programs as well as strong academic programs.

Single-family homes vary widely in price, from the mid-$200s to $900k. One neighborhood, Salisbury, is technically in Westbury but part of East Meadow’s school district. Two condo complexes, Belaire and Seasons at East Meadow, are communities for residents 55 and over. Another complex, Mitchel Manor, is for military personnel.

Though the area sees a lot of traffic, it’s typical for Nassau County. Residents enjoy the convenience of easy access to shopping, schools and recreation. East Meadow is a great town, especially for families.