Lakeview: MLK Civil Rights stop, suburban charm, Hempstead lake draw buyers
Chiara Lynn, left, and Saleen Alyssa, both of Rosedale, Queens, have a painting picnic on the lawn of Hempstead Lake Park. Credit: Linda Rosier
THE SCOOP A scant one-square-mile area, petite Lakeview shares its schools and institutions with neighboring communities. But it retains a sense of suburban charm and holds an important place in the history of the Civil Rights movement.
Students from Lakeview usually attend Malverne schools, and residents retain addresses with both Malverne, West Hempstead and Rockville Centre. Shopping is in nearby communities, including the new Belmont Park Village shopping mall in Elmont. Lakeview also has its own fire department.
The LIRR arrived in Lakeview in 1910. Credit: Linda Rosier
"It's a small town, nice local town feeling," said Cheryl Rosenthal, real estate agent with Realty Trends Corp. "It's also a diverse neighborhood, which is nice."
Lakeview was a stop on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s trip to Long Island in May 1965, when he hosted a rally in the community amid a fundraising journey. King spoke out against segregation in schools in Lakeview and neighboring Malverne. In 2022, Hempstead civil rights attorney Frederick K. Brewington told Newsday he remembered riding his bicycle to see the historic figure. Brewington said King patted him on the head as he came down Woodfield Road.
"His presence resonated that there was hope on the horizon and an opportunity for things to be brighter, as we looked for a brighter future to always be better than we are," Brewington said.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a rally in Lakeview in 1965. Credit: Newsday/Alan Raia
Today, buyers are drawn to its suburban charm and its home on the edge of Hempstead Lake State Park.
"The lake is very cool," Rosenthal said. "It's stocked with trout, so it is a great place for fishing."
But the lake didn't exist 200 years ago. A body of water was created in the mid-1800s when Long Island's largest grist mill was built there, according to Newsday's Long Island: Our Story. In 1873, the mill was removed to build a reservoir for Brooklyn, but the project failed and Hempstead Lake was left behind.
Hempstead Lake State Park houses walking trails and sports facilities, including pickleball courts. Credit: Linda Rosier
The eponymous park, about 730 acres and accessible to Southern State Parkway, has much for residents to do: 19 tennis and six pickleball courts, rentals of kayaks and swan peddle boats and other recreational activities. Fishing is a big draw, with not only trout but yellow perch, carp and largemouth bass, according to the state's website.
"They recently planted a lot of cherry blossom trees, so now they are blooming," Rosenthal said.
Customers head into Middle Store Deli & Grocery on Woodfield Road, the main thoroughfare through the community. Credit: Linda Rosier
The other draw is the town-owned pool, Harold Walker Memorial Park, which is across the street from a home Rosenthal has listed on Woodfield Road. The park also has a playground, sports fields and wading pool.
"Think about having a pool in your front yard," she said. "You don't have to fight for parking, just cross the street."
Prices for houses range from the mid-$400,000s to more than $1 million. There are few rentals, mostly in residential houses, but there are many rental opportunities in surrounding communities.
Lakeview was once home to world champion hurdler and Olympic gold medalist Derrick Adkins, as well as John L. Sullivan, a 19th century boxer nicknamed "Boston Strong Boy."
Houses along Coolidge Avenue near Woodfield Road. Credit: Linda Rosier
ROCKVILLE CENTRE SALE PRICES Between April 9, 2025, and April 8, 2026, there were 233 home sales with a median sale price of $855,000, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 237 home sales with a median sale price of $800,000.
WEST HEMPSTEAD SALE PRICES Between April 9, 2025, and April 8, 2026, there were 139 home sales with a median sale price of $778,500, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 150 home sales with a median sale price of $725,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 5,825
Median age 34.4
Median home values Rockville Centre $849,000, West Hempstead $790,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Lakeview $264.25
School district, graduation rate Most students attend Malverne (96%)
Library Lakeview Public Library
Transit NICE Bus Route 15
Sources: 2024 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Nassau Inter-County Express
ON THE MARKET
$1.175 million
This $1.175 million Lakeview home is a new construction. Credit: One Fine Day Photography
This newly constructed home has six bedrooms and four full bathrooms, plus a large chef-style kitchen and a formal dining room. The finished basement has a full bath and separate entry. The attached living room has multiple windows to let in light. Taxes are $10,637. Cheryl Rosenthal, Realty Trends Corp., 516-312-3223.
$600,000
This $600,000 Lakeview Colonial has two bedrooms. Credit: BK Home Photos
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home has classic Colonial architecture. It features a small front sunroom letting in natural light, a fireplace in the living room and a full basement as well as walk-up attic. Near parks and shopping, and five-minute drive to Rockville Centre LIRR station. Taxes are $10,876. Deresia Williams, Property Realms LLC, 631-805-4565.
RECENTLY SOLD
$850,000
Otsego Court
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3½
Built 2010
Lot size 0.19 acre
Taxes $17,269
+/- List price -$250,000
Days on market 232
$725,000
Derrick Adkins Lane
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1965
Lot size 0.16 acre
Taxes $13,654
+/- List price +$35,400
Days on market 78
$410,000
Parkside Road
Style Cape
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1936
Lot size 0.1 acre
Taxes $11,144
+/- List price +$234,444
Days on market 108
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 8
Price range $600,000 to $1.175 million
Tax range $10,661 to $13,535
