By Joseph and Marie Bellon
Written in 1982
The Luquer children and heirs sold major parcels of "The Willows" between 1899 and 1926. In all these deeds the purchasers received the right, in common with other persons, i.e., the present and future owners of "The Willows" land, to use the beach for bathing and recreation.
On June 4, 1929, thirty-two residents of "The Willows" farm area formed the "Home and Beach Association of Manhasset Bay Estates, Inc.". The first meeting was held in the office of a real estate company, Manhasset Bay Estates, Inc., that was developing homes in the area from Leeds Drive to Kenworth Road. This company also held title to the beach, subject to the beach rights of other homeowners below Leeds Drive whose land was part of the Willows Farm.
In filing the Certificate of Incorporation on June 5, 1930, the new organization declared as its goals: 1) To promote the general interests of Manhasset Bay Estates. 2) To develop the beach on behalf of all those who have rights therein. 3) To enforce covenants of record and other rules adopted with the consent of property owners.
The Constitution provided that membership in the Association was open to residents of Manhasset Bay Estates (Leeds Drive to Kenworth Road) and those outside this area who had beach rights.
The minutes of the new Association show that its founding fathers were activists in their desire to build a strong organization that would preserve the beach and insure a fine residential area, to improve roads, and to assure that the development company adhered to the terms of the covenants and original development plan.
After a long period of determined effort which surmounted many legal and personality obstacles, the Home and Beach Association acquired, in 1934, title to the beach from the Manhasset Bay Estates development company. This title was subject to a mortgage given by the development company and held by a local bank.
To add to the woes of the young Association, the developer subsequently defaulted and title to the beach was about to be lost. Again, the Association rallied and by a combination of subtle pressure on the bank and payment of some of the money in default, the Association satisfied the mortgage and preserved its title to the beach.
Responsibility for owning and maintaining a beach brought with it numerous problems and challenges. There were various legal problems dealing with rights-of-way and other claims asserted by neighbors. Some of these involved lengthy negotiations and surveys. Nevertheless, a dock was built, dighy racks were installed, a concrete launchway was built, and at various times studies were made and debates held over construction of a swimming pool.
Throughout its fifty years of existence the Association not only preserved and improved the beach but also served the community in other ways.
In 1949 and 1950 the Association campaigned to get sewers through the Manhasset Bay side of town. At the same time it joined others in opposing the establishment of an oil terminal in Port Washington. It engaged in debates and discussions about the fate of the Plandome Country Club, and some of its members bought bonds to support its continued existence. In 1950, after a long battle to have a neighborhood school, Merriman School was built. Also in 1950, the Association's name was changed to Manhasset Bay Estates Association, Inc.
Around 1969 the Goldman estate was put on the block. Developers planned to erect approximately twenty-five houses. Arthur Schiller, then the Mayor of Plandome Manor, led the long and difficult fight to preserve the property as open space. The Association was supportive of the efforts of the Plandome Manor residents. The result was that Plandome Manor was successful; open space was preserved. Today the property is owned and maintained by Nassau County as a passive park and wetlands preserve. The North Shore Science Museum leases the Preserve from the County.
While the area was still growing, a vigorous property committee inspected all new developments and houses and engaged in zoning battles. In the 1970s, the Association assisted MBEA property owners in enforcing covenants concerning the size of building lots. Also in the 1970s, the Association was successful in preventing the Town of North Hempstead from building sidewalks in parts of Manhasset Bay Estates. At various times the Association organized campaigns to keep adequate school bus service to this area. When Merriman School was excessed by the School District, the Association preserved the open space by creating a Park District.
On the social side, the MBEA archives reveal that the first mid-winter gathering was held on October 30, 1935 and this activity later became the Spring Dance. The first Sports Day, known as the Aquacade, was held July 8, 1933. It was the forerunner of our annual Beach Party. Christmas carol activities were started in 1960 and continued until recently.