Major renovations to Whelan Park in Malverne, Nassau County have been completed, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The $6.3 million project was designed to improve recreational amenities and address flooding issues that have affected the surrounding community.
“Long Islanders know best how major storms can affect their communities,” Governor Hochul said. “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.”
Residents living near Whelan Park previously experienced flooding that impacted roads, homes, and limited use of park facilities. The renovations aim to increase flood resilience while making the park more accessible for visitors. Upgrades include two new Little League ball fields, a picnic area, dog park, and a pedestrian jogging pathway.
To enhance stormwater management around Whelan Park—which was originally built atop a pond—the project installed subsurface water retention basins beneath baseball fields and paved areas. Additional features such as porous pavement and bioswales were added to filter runoff and expand water storage capacity. Site grading improvements also target localized flooding.
Educational displays were introduced throughout the park highlighting the function of retention basins, neighborhood history, and native species found in the area. These additions are intended both to inform visitors about environmental stewardship efforts and foster greater appreciation for Whelan Park’s role in local ecology.
Funding for these improvements came from New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Office of Resilient Homes and Communities’ Mill River Drainage program. This initiative is part of ongoing work along the Mill River focused on managing stormwater, improving habitat quality, and expanding recreational options for nearby residents.
The state has prioritized climate adaptation projects as part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 (https://climate.ny.gov/Our-Climate-Act/). HCR investments also support recovery from severe weather events such as Superstorm Sandy and Hurricanes Ida and Irene; they provide resources for home resiliency upgrades, community flood mitigation projects, clean energy funding in affordable housing developments, as well as emergency repair assistance following certain storms.
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 stated: “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 the place of a long-lost pond. Whelan Park is a crowning achievement brought to you by the hard work of many which will provide countless benefits to our community for generations to come.”
