Major renovations at Whelan Park in Malverne, Nassau County, have been completed, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The $6.3 million project introduced new recreational facilities and upgraded stormwater infrastructure aimed at reducing flooding in the area.
Governor Hochul stated, “Long Islanders know best how major storms can affect their communities. Fortunately, key infrastructure upgrades can help manage stormwater and mitigate flooding. Projects like this demonstrate New York’s commitment to adapt to our changing climate and improve public greenspaces at the same time. We thank the village of Malverne and all our local partners on the completion of this important project.”
Previously, residents near Whelan Park experienced frequent flooding that affected roads and homes and limited use of park facilities. The recent improvements are intended to increase community resilience against localized flooding while making the park more accessible. Renovations include two Little League ball fields, a picnic area, dog park, and pedestrian jogging pathway.
To address water management issues—given that Whelan Park was originally built over a pond—the project installed subsurface water retention basins beneath existing baseball fields and paved areas. Porous pavement and bioswales were also added to act as natural filters for improving water quality and increasing storage capacity. Site grading and hardscape improvements further support flood mitigation efforts.
Educational displays now highlight information about retention basins, local history, and native species found within the park. These additions aim to inform visitors about stormwater management practices while supporting ecological health along Pine Stream.
Funding for the renovation came from New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Office of Resilient Homes and Communities’ Mill River Drainage program with a $6.3 million investment designed to boost resiliency along the Mill River by managing stormwater runoff, enhancing habitats, improving water quality, and expanding recreation opportunities in the watershed.
The initiative aligns with broader state goals for climate change mitigation—including achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050—and is part of HCR’s ongoing work on sustainability projects such as recovery efforts after Superstorm Sandy as well as Hurricanes Ida and Irene.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “New York is leading the way on climate adaptation and resiliency. This State investment will mitigate flooding, improve stormwater management, and help enhance the local ecology around the Mill River while also making Whelan Park more family-friendly for generations to come. Thank you to the village of Malverne and all our partners for their dedication to the community.”
Assemblymember Judy Griffin commented: “The $6.3 million revitalization and renovation of Whelan Park, in the Village of Malverne, is an ideal example of how HCR can vastly benefit communities. I applaud the Governor, Commissioner Visnauskas and our local government officials for prioritizing this project and investing in our community. I am so excited to see my constituents enjoy the new facilities. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s focus on improving the resilience of communities along the Mill River while enhancing parks and making green space accessible.”
Village Mayor Timothy Sullivan added: “We are proud to have reached this milestone with our partners at HCR. Following a pattern of intensifying storms and weather events over these past years, we pledged to harden our infrastructure to mitigate against future flooding and the devastating effects it has had on our homes and environment. We have accomplished this while providing enhanced recreational offerings and innovative design encompassing the infrastructure that now exists in place of a long-lost pond. Whelan Park is a crowning achievement brought to you by hard work which will provide countless benefits to our community for generations.”
