Little league, thriving downtown behind Massapequa Park's distinction from U.S. News & World Report, residents say
Massapequa Park also contains smaller open spaces, like the waterfront Colleran Park. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Massapequa Park has a prime place in popular culture: Jerry Seinfeld grew up in the 2.2-square-mile-village; its school district was spotlighted recently when President Donald Trump said its "Chiefs" mascot and logo should stay; and the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer lived in its boundaries.
Now, it also has its place on the top of the list of places to live in New York, according to a recent report from U.S. News & World Report.
The village of about 17,000 people ranked 140th in the United States, followed closely by Hicksville, which ranked third statewide and 156th nationally.
Massapequa Park’s ranking isn’t surprising, said Robin Hepworth, president of the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce.
“We have an outstanding school district, we have beautiful neighborhoods,” Hepworth said. “It’s the perfect place to live, work and raise a family.”
The ranking is dictated by a formula that accounts for multiple factors including quality of life, housing affordability and desirability, the report said. The analysis found Massapequa Park “offers a higher value of living compared to similarly sized cities.”
The village’s walkability and busy downtown, coupled with its frequent events, make it a sought-after place to live, said Mayor Daniel Pearl. It’s also a quick commute to Manhattan, “as long as the trains are on time,” Pearl quipped.
“What makes a great community is the residents,” Pearl said in an interview. “They volunteer; they work in the Little League.”
The southern tip of the village abuts the Great South Bay. There are village parks and green spaces, while residents have access to the 52-acre John J. Burns Park — a hub for sports, leisure and biking. The main business district on Park Boulevard features stores like specialty boutiques alongside a range of eateries, from breakfast and brunch spots to pizzerias and Greek cuisine.
Rob Zabbia, a Massapequa Park business owner and the past president of the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, said the village is “very community-oriented” and that business owners “stick together.”
“We have our own parades, we have a lot of community sponsorships,” Zabbia said. “So, there’s a lot of stuff where, as a business owner, I can get in front of the community very easily because there’s so many different things going on.”
Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said Massapequa Park and Hicksville’s high placement “speaks to the fact that we have safe neighborhoods, amazing school districts, and vibrant downtowns.”
The Town of Oyster Bay is in the process of infusing millions into downtown Hicksville, with projects underway to improve pedestrian walkability and expand green space, Newsday has reported.
“All of this speaks to a very high quality of life, very happy residents,” Saladino said. “People want to live here.”
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