Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park
Our favorite Motor Parkway father and son team Dave and Sammy Russo journeyed once again on their bikes to explore our favorite parkway from Lake Success to Melville. In the fifth post of the series, Sammy and Dave explored the Williston Park section to the Oyster Bay LIRR tracks of the Motor Parkway.
The Russo father/son series helps to document the current condition of the Motor Parkway, while uncovering several new surprises.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
2019 Vanderbilt Day
March 30, 2019
Dave Russo :
So we did it yesterday. After a one year hiatus, Sam and I resumed our annual Vanderbilt Day tradition.
What better starting point than the Deepdale Mansion in Lake Success, William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.'s residence in the early 1900s. The home is still standing, just steps off of the Motor Parkway. I'm sure not by coincidence.
Moving west to east as always, we traveled 18 miles by bike from Lake Success to the Maxess Road Bridge in Melville We had a great time!
Looking west towards Albertson- site of the Willis Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge.
Approaching great stretch of intact LIMP leading up to park/pool
Perfect
1
Lots of maneuvering / fence hopping leads us looking west at the site of the former railroad bridge
The path up to the LIMP from the tracks
Looking west again
Comments
I grew up in Albertson in the 60’s, we were all over the LIMP, from the Old Courthouse Bridge to the stretch along side Harkness Boy Scout Camp to the RR Trestle. I had friends on Williams St. who had it in their backyard, one family put a basketball hoop in. I remember Albertson Fire Dept. Slo-pokes using the Pool road for tournament practice. I can’t imagine the speeds the racers got up to on the straightaway from Willis Ave., going over the RR Trestle, then over Roslyn Rd. just to have to hit the brakes to make that Right turn before Glen Cove Rd.
Sam and Dave always seem to top themselves. These latest discoveries and their pictures are terrific!
Thumbs up again guys….Thanks for your effort….
Dave: Always enjoy your pictures. Do I smell a coffee table picture book in the future? Count me in; I’ll buy one. Maybe Howard could work with you, Frank Femenias (map overlays) and have a book created as a fund raiser for the LIMP preservation group.
Frank: You were right back awhile ago when we emailed and I told you I first lived at 108 Campbell Ave. in Williston Park. Now looking at the map, I was just a few blocks away from the LIMP. I could even have some LIMP in my DNA. 😊
Thanks to all with the LIMP dedication.
When I was a kid I followed the track on my bike right over that bridge over the railroad tracks. I went to Ally Pond Part to the west after figuring out that the road turned in the golf course.
Dave, you did it again…part of my life is in this , same as last week. Two Streets parallel LIMP. On the North, Foxcroft Rd, (where my aunt live and biked east from the eastern cul de sac. On the south side is Bengeyfield Dr, which when I was a boy in the 50"s and early 60’ I wasn’t aware of it. Years later, as a letter carrier in Williston Park I became familiar with it. Your next week’s chapter will again spark another memory. Thanks for LIMP’s “this is your life!”
Jimmy, Jerry, Bob: great to hear these stories/memories. You MUST have some pics! Dig through the old boxes and try and dig something up. I love the “then and now” of the LIMP.
Maureen: Howard (and his favorite co-author Al) already have the best LIMP book. Pick that one up! I can definitely help him expand his “then and now” section. He knows where to find me if he needs me!
I’ve met so many people that grew up close, sometimes VERY close to the LIMP and NOT ONE of them knew what it was.
The LIMP in general is the most under appreciated “cool” landmark. Sometimes you pass things and read about it and “ok that’s pretty cool” but when you read about, hear about the history of the LIMP and couple that with the fact that so much of it STILL REMAINS in tact is amazing. It’s hard to believe it’s not more recognized or appreciated.
Yes Dave, I agree with your reply to everyone, hard to believe so much remains. You can close your eyes when you do your discoveries and imagine,,,,