Seniors Enjoy Historic New Hyde Park, NY

 New Hyde Park, a village on Long Island, with 10,000 inhabitants, is primarily a commuter town with over 75% of the land used for single family residences. Seniors find this is one of the oldest and most historic settlements in the United States. The first settlers were Dutch and English.

The New Hyde Park Museum in Village Hall is packed with exhibits that exemplify the town’s past. Senior visitors will dine well in the many restaurants, enjoying a wide variety of ethnic dishes. Let TripAdvisor make some suggestions to those of you with a fine palate. Mama Theresa’s Pizzeria looks like a great place to start off with and Umberto’s is close behind.

We can trace the history of New Hyde Park back to Thomas Dongan, the fourth royal governor of New York, who was granted an 800-acre parcel of land in 1683 that included New Hyde Park. It was known as “Dongan’s Farm.”

Dongan built a mansion on what is now Lakeville Road. In 1715, Dongan’s estate was sold to George Clarke, who was Secretary of the Provence of New York. He named it Hyde Park in honor of his wife, Ann Hyde. When a post office opened in 1871, the name was changed from Hyde Park to New Hyde Park to avoid confusion with another Hyde Park in upstate NY.

Senior Visitors Enjoy Memorial Park

Memorial Park has just been reconstructed for the enjoyment of the locals as well as senior visitors.  Summer concerts held in the Park has many folks thumping their feet. The annual Village Community Clean Up Day draws many volunteers from clubs who donate their time and energy into this community effort.

Among notable people who called New Hyde Park home is Al Oerter. I remember him when I followed the Olympic Games, years ago. Oerter was a four-time gold medalist in the discus throw (1956, 1960, 1964, 1968).

Seniors, I hope you enjoyed your coffee in New Hyde Park, one of the oldest and most historic settlements in the whole country.  -jeb