FREEPORT, New York: Old and New, Good and Bad
Written: Oct 20 '03 (Updated Aug 25 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A very diverse town and the great Nautical Mile!!
Cons: Some parts are run down.
The Bottom Line: Freeport boasts some fantastic restaurants and the Nautical Mile. This is a great family or couple destination.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Freeport, New York |
When I was first married some 33 years ago my wife and I rented an apartment on the south shore of Long Island in a town by the name of Freeport. After two years we decided to purchase a home. We did, and have been living in Freeport ever since.
VERY BRIEF HISTORY
This area was home to the Meroke Indians many many years ago. The area was blessed with an abundant source of seafood and shells that were used as wampum.
After the Europeans settled the area has had a thriving boating business for the last few hundred years and continues to this day.
It's name was Raynortown. Raynor was a man who owned much of the area. He also dug a canal and put the fill on the two sides of it, building up what was swamp land. The canal was named Woodcleft and the road traveling adjacent to it was named Woodcleft Avenue. More on that in a bit.
The name of the town is now Freeport. The name reflects the fact that years ago it was the place where shippers would come into NY without paying fees. It seems it also became a place for pirates, smugglers, and rum runners to do their dirty work.
In much more recent times the Woodcleft canal was home of Guy Lombardo who brought in many a New Year with his band. His home on the canal, with his famous racing boat, is now gone. They did name the street on the other side of the canal after him Guy Lombardo Ave. Actually, you can still see his racing boat at the South Street Seaport Museum @ Freeport. This is on the Nautical Mile.
Freeport was like the Hamptons in the early part of the 1900's. Many celebrities summered here and lived here. A large Vaudeville community that called themselves LIGHTS. That is Long Island Good Hearted Thespian Society entertained in Freeport.
Broderick Crawford once lived in Freeport. In fact the house is now owned by a distant cousin of my wife. Susan Sullivan lived in Freeport too. Branch Ricky, the man who broke many a Brooklyn Dodger fan's heart when he sold the team and they moved to California, also lived here. In fact, the Dodgers did some of their weekday practice in the Freeport Municipal Stadium. This is a place where I used to watch miniature car races and demolition derbies. It's now gone.
FREEPORT NOW
Freeport, like many Long Island communities, is going through changes. This is a very mixed community racially, ethnically, and socially.
The community is about a one third each, equal mix of Hispanic, Black, and White residents. For the most part the community gets along very well. There are the usual high school fights and unfortunately more signs of gangs. The communities mixed population makes up the many clubs, civic organizations, political parties, and community activists that are in Freeport.
One reason we moved to and stayed in Freeport was because of its diversity. Unfortunately, after our first three children went through the public school system we started to see problems in the education system. One of our daughters is now going to a private school.
My wife was a teacher in the middle school for twenty years and recently retired.
It seems that there may be some changes for the better going on in the schools this recent year. My daughters are now in high school. Unfortunately, I can't wait and see if it does get better.
Another problem in the village is undocumented citizens can be a problem. It is the housing situation that hurts our community.
I had to go to many hearings at our village offices in reference to over occupancy. Just across the street from my home was a house that wanted a variance to build more rooms. The problem was the house was already housing many, many more unrelated people than should have been living there. It was a danger to those living in the home and a nuisance to neighbors. There were strangers hanging around waiting for people to pick them up for jobs, right in front of my home.
Some of this is getting better through negotiating for better low cost housing and more sensible places for these people to "shape up" for work.
FREEPORT NOW for the BETTER
Freeport is one of the very few communities on Long Island that has its own power plants. We still purchase some power but are not affected in quite the same way as the prominent Long Island electric provider. Our electric is cheaper.
We were fortunate during the last blackout that hit the northeast US. We were out for a short time and then went through some rolling blackouts. We did much better than most of the northeast.
In recent years the community is definitely putting on a better face. The downtown village shopping storefronts are once again full of merchandise and business are fixing up their stores.
We have some good local stores for quick shopping. We have a Home Depot, Marshall's, Model's, BJ's, Pier 1 and other chain stores. This is mixed with the many, many, mom and pop stores of the community.
We are less than a ten minute drive to huge shopping malls with every store imaginable. To the south we get on the parkway and we are just five minutes from Jones Beach. That beach has miles of fine beach, a theatre that has many name stars and bands, all kinds of ball fields, mini golf, par three golf, restaurants, huge pools and picnic areas.
Going north from Freeport it takes seven minutes to get to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum . This is where the NHL's Islanders play. The indoor football league's Dragons play here too.
The circus, ice shows, conventions and so much more go on in this building and yes, I DID see Elvis there!!
We are also fortunate to have a few waterfront parks with wonderful attractions for kids and picnic grounds for families right in our village.
We have a rail-road station in town. Once we are on the train we are just 45 minutes to Broadway. It's great to be that close to all that NYC offers.
OUR SHINING STAR
I mentioned earlier about the Woodcleft Canal and Avenue. This area is now known as the Nautical Mile. It is a fine mix of restaurants, seafood stores, little shops, cafe's, ice cream shops, miniature golf, and so much more. There is charter and open boat fishing, pleasure boating, and commercial fishing fleets. On top of that a huge boat goes out to sea daily for gambling adventures.
My wife and I frequent the canal often. This was all improved in the last few years and every year it gets even better. We love the area!!
Right now we have The Bounty docked at one of our piers. This is the boat that was built for the Marlon Brando 1962 film "Mutiny on the Bounty". It is a fine ship. She will be staying in Freeport till November 1st. She is set up as a "Ghost Ship" for the Halloween week ahead.
I can also be proud of going out a few times with Operation Splash (Stop Polluting Littering And Save Harbors).This is a non-profit group that goes out in a small boat daily and cleans up the waterways. Good people they are!
If any of you ever come and visit Freeport Email me and I'll tell you where to have a great meal or a drink on the canal. You'll probably see my wife and I. It's where we like to be.
Be sure to read some of my other reviews of my town, Freeport! We are here 38 years and counting.
Freeport destinations
Freeport's Nautical Mile A great destination with dozens of fine restaurants.
RACHEL'S WATERSIDE GRILL Fine dining on the canal
Otto's Sea Grill Fine dining or partying on the canal
Ralph's Famous Italian IcesThey are on Freeport's Nautical Mile and elsewhere across the Island
Freeport's, South Street Seaport
Long Island Some love it, some don't
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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