North Woodmere, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North Woodmere, New York
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Rosedale Road in North Woodmere on August 8, 2022.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Nassau |
| Town | Hempstead |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 516, 363 |
North Woodmere is a small community in Nassau County, New York. It is located on the South Shore of Long Island, within the Town of Hempstead. North Woodmere is known as an unincorporated hamlet, which means it's a small community that is part of a larger town but doesn't have its own local government like a village or city.
Contents
History of North Woodmere
Before North Woodmere was built in the late 1950s, the land was mostly owned by a lawyer named Franklin B. Lord. He was also the president of the Long Island Water Company. His large property, called "The Lord's Woods," stretched across several areas, including Cedarhurst and Lawrence. Some of this land was also used by the Water Company for its pumping station, which is still there today.
From Woods to Homes
In 1956, as more and more houses were being built in Nassau County, this large area of natural woodland became a topic of debate. People who wanted to protect nature, local residents, and building companies all had different ideas for the land. "Woodmere Woods" was over 100 acres of trees. It was originally part of the Long Island Water Corporation's property. Today, a shopping center stands where Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts used to go camping.
By the late 1950s, new technology made it possible to dig deeper wells for water. So, the Long Island Water Corporation decided to sell a big part of their land for new homes. Even though many people protested, the woods were completely gone by the end of 1958. The new neighborhood was named "North Woodmere Knolls."
Creating a Park
In 1962, people living in the area voted to approve Nassau County buying about 27 acres of land and 45 acres of water. This land was used to create the North Woodmere County Park, which is a popular spot for recreation today.
Connecting with the Five Towns
Even though North Woodmere is officially part of the Valley Stream Post Office area, the builders wanted to connect it with the more well-known and upscale "Five Towns" area. So, North Woodmere became part of the Hewlett-Woodmere School District 14. Because of this, and shared community activities, many people unofficially consider North Woodmere to be part of The Five Towns.
Geography of North Woodmere
North Woodmere is located just north of Woodmere. A waterway called Motts Creek separates the two communities. You can get to Woodmere from North Woodmere by using Branch Boulevard, Brookfield Road, or a special footbridge over the creek.
North Woodmere is not officially part of the "Five Towns." The Five Towns include the villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst, and the hamlets of Hewlett, Inwood, and Woodmere.
Main Roads and Access
Hungry Harbor Road is the main road that runs east to west through North Woodmere. It connects to Branch Boulevard, which leads to Cedarhurst. It also connects to Brookfield-Rosedale Road, which goes towards Valley Stream. Another road, Park Lane, gives access to upper Rosedale Road. From there, you can reach larger highways like Francis Lewis Boulevard, Sunrise Highway, and the Belt Parkway and Cross Island Parkway.
Economy and Recreation
North Woodmere has a shopping mall located on Rosedale Road. Another shopping center on Hungry Harbor Road was changed into a place for assisted living.
North Woodmere Park
A big part of the community's economy and recreation comes from North Woodmere Park. This is a Nassau County park that offers many activities. It has a swimming pool complex, a playground for kids, a nine-hole golf course, and a lighted driving range where people can practice their golf swings. There is also an area for fishing.
Education and Learning
Many people in North Woodmere have advanced degrees and a high level of education. A lot of residents attend four-year colleges and then go on to professional schools. There is a strong focus on education throughout the community.
Culture and Community
North Woodmere is home to several synagogues, which are places of worship for Jewish people. These include Congregation Ohr Torah, Young Israel of North Woodmere, Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere, Temple Hillel, Kodesh, Kehillas Bnei Hayeshivos, Khal Lev Avos, and Chabad of Valley Stream. In 1984, former United States President Ronald Reagan even gave a speech at Temple Hillel.
School Districts
The community is served by two different school districts. The western part of North Woodmere is in District 15, which is part of the Lawrence Public Schools. The central part of the community is in District 14, which is the Hewlett-Woodmere School District.
Notable Residents
North Woodmere has been home to several well-known people:
- Bruce Blakeman: He was the first presiding officer of Nassau County.
- David M. Friedman (born 1958): He served as the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
- Jeffrey M. Friedman (born 1954): He is famous for discovering Leptin, a hormone that helps control appetite.
- Esther Jungreis (1936-2016): She was the founder of Hineni, an organization that promotes Jewish education.
- Wendy Kaufman: She is known as the spokesperson for the Snapple drink company and a TV personality.
- Aryeh Lebowitz (born 1977): He is a director at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
- Seth Rudetsky: He is a composer, musical director, and talk show host.
- Steve Spinner: He founded Sports Potential and advised the Obama presidential campaign. He also worked as an official for the Department of Energy.
See also
In Spanish: North Woodmere para niños
