The Nissequogue River State Park is located on the banks and bluffs of the Nissequogue River in Kings Park, New York. The park was conceived in 1999, and established on the waterfront portion of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center. The name of the park was originally assigned to what is today the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Several former KPPC buildings remain standing in the park, and a few, most notably Building 125, the former Veterans Administration Building, have been renovated and reused (125 serves as the park office). Recreational opportunities at the park include soccer, bird-watching, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, biking, and guided tours.
On December 27, 2006 it was announced that NY State officials had agreed on a new plan for the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center property that they were calling the most significant step in years toward getting the long-stalled redevelopment process under way.
Outgoing parks commissioner Bernadette Castro has persuaded other state officials to transfer most of the hospital property to her agency. The plan calls for 368 acres (1.49 km2) to be added to Nissequogue River State Park, which was created in 1999 from 153 acres (0.62 km2) adjacent of hospital property. Then the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will request proposals for a private-public partnership for redeveloping part of the site where vacant buildings stand.
On May 17, 2010 New York State closed this park along with 55 other state parks due to budget cuts. However, the state reversed their decision on Nissequogue, and reopened the park on May 28, following passage of an $11 million dollar deal in the state senate.
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