Hempstead Lake State Park

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West Hempstead, NY
Hempstead Lake State Park

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Go fishing, take a stroll, or register for an environmental education program! https://linktr.ee/hempsteadlakestatepark

History:
In 1925 Robert Moses convinced the City of New York to dedicate 2,200 acres of city water supply areas in Nassau County for state park and parkway purposes in the form of a surface easement. 903 of these acres became Hempstead Lake State Park. After the dedication of these water supply areas, the Park Commission immediately began improvements for parks and parkways. Prior to the acquisition, these lands remained mostly wild and inaccessible. Kenneth Roberts describes these areas in his historical novel of the Revolutionary War as impenetrable, mosquito- infested swamps where loyalists hid from the rebels. In the main picnic area is the only mechanical amusement device found in any of the state parks on Long Island - a children’s carousel. This carousel was built around the turn of the century by M.C.Illions 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. 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 in one of the local parks. An initial agreement was made and plans to move the carousel were taken. 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 was once again heard from the carousel.

10/28/2026

Fall is bursting with color at Hempstead Lake State Park! 🍃🍁🍂

Whether you’re taking a casual stroll through the park or gearing up for a hike on the trails, there’s so much beauty to be enjoyed for all during this vibrant time of the year ✨

10/24/2026

Tomorrow is our final gardening class of our year long gardening series!

Together we will learn how to wind down our gardens for Winter. We will also learn how to can and dehydrate the food we’ve spent all year growing from seed!

Join us tomorrow from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, we’ve saved the best for last!

Sign up by clicking the link in our bio, or by visiting Eventbrite.com and searching “Hempstead Lake State Park”

10/23/2026

Who says the fun ends with Summer does? Fall is full of opportunities to explore, discover, and get curious about the season changing around us! From enjoying the crisp Autumn air to discovering the wonders of nature, November is the perfect time to get outside, try something new, and make meaningful connections.

Join us this month for programs that celebrate nature, spark curiosity, and bring our community together.

Get in touch with nature and make fall memories with us at the Environmental Education & Resiliency Center!

To sign up for a program, visit the link in our bio to register, or visit Eventbrite.com and search “Hempstead Lake State Park”

10/22/2026

10/15/2026

We’re just two days away from the annual Fall Family Fishing Festival at Hempstead Lake State Park!

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Field 3, Hempstead Lake State Park

This event is held in partnership with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Festival Activities include:
•Fishing with FREE loaner rods and bait
•Fishing Instruction and Casting Instruction
•Cleaning of Catch
•Casting for Pumpkins
•DEC and NYS Parks Displays
•Children’s Entertainment

and more!

Prior to the festival, State Parks will stock both the South and McDonald ponds in Hempstead Lake State Park with brook and rainbow trout.

We’ll see you out there! 🎣

10/06/2026

Our first fall foliage update of the year! A little paste of Autumn at Hempstead Lake State Park 🍃🍁🍂

10/04/2026

Happy World Animal Day from your friends at Hempstead Lake State Park 🐢🦋🐰🦆
What a privilege it is to share this world with such incredible wildlife. Here’s to appreciating, protecting, and celebrating the animals that make our planet so special 💙

All photos courteous of the Environmental Education Team at Hempstead Lake State Park.

10/04/2026

💡If you pay for electricity or natural gas through one of the state’s utility companies, you may qualify for savings! Half of all New York households are now eligible for relief through the Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which provides customers with utility bill discounts they can count on each month.

💰Don’t leave money on the table – you could receive recurring discounts directly on your monthly bill.

Learn more and apply at ny.gov/eap.

10/02/2026

Water you up to this weekend!? 💧🦆Check out the fun free activities happening at Hempstead Lake State Park this weekend!

Saturday, October 3rd: Pond Ecology - Free Family Program (All Ages) - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Meet at McDonald Pond, Field 3

Sunday, October 4th: Biodegradable Confetti Workshop - Free Family Program (Ages 6 and up), 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Meet at the Environmental Education & Resiliency Center.

Registration required for all programs. Signup available by clicking the link in our bio, or by visiting Eventbrite.com and searching “Hempstead Lake State Park”.

09/26/2026

Due to this weekend’s storm, all educational programming for this weekend (9/26/26-9/27/26 has been cancelled at the Environmental Education & Resiliency Center.

HLSP Gardening Series: Canning & Dehydrating, and Seasons Storytime & Crafts will be rescheduled at a later date.

Stay safe everyone!

Address

880 Lake Drive
West Hempstead, NY
11552

Telephone

(516) 766-1029

Website

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/hempsteadlake

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