The Hamlet of Hewlett by Chana Bienstock

As I point my compass eastward, I find myself in Hewlett, Long Island. Hewlett, in reality is not a town, but a hamlet in Nassau County. The population exceeds 7,000. There are, however, villages within Hewlett itself. They are Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor and Hewlett Neck. Hewlett was named after George Hewlett, who came to America from Buckinghamshire, England in the late 1600’s. It was renamed Fenhurst in 1892, only to be name Hewlett once again by a descendant of George Hewlett who donated land to the LIRR on the condition that the name be reinstated.

What attracts someone to move to Hewlett? It’s no secret the Hewlett/Woodmere school district boasts its excellent scores as one of the top school district in the state of New York. Students who graduate from Hewlett/Woodmere high schools are usually accepted to the most prestigious colleges and universities in the nation. The area also has a beautiful new library. Now, in its 60th year, the library contains over 200, 000 books. It caters to both Hewlett and Woodmere residents with its many programs geared for toddlers, children, teens, adults and seniors.

Another attraction I truly enjoy in Hewlett is Grant Park. Located on Sheriden Blvd. off of Broadway, it is a very easy commute from Brooklyn, Queens and West Hempstead. We enjoy the park all year round, be it ice skating in the winter or running through the sprinklers on a hot summer day. There is a playground geared for different age groups and a beautiful bike path for the older ones to enjoy the scenic route around the entire park.

Hewlett Bay is also a great place to visit during the summer. There is a pool, a playground and of course the bay which leads into the Atlantic. The cost is quite low for Nassau County residents. The bay has something for everyone.

Hewlett is also known for its beautiful homes. Most homes in the area are older built on magnificent properties. Prices of the homes for sales are quite vast. It can range anywhere from 400,000 to $4 million. I would recommend touring the villages of Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor and Hewlett Neck and view the spectacular architecture of the homes. Whether by bike, auto or foot, it is surely worth the tour.

Hewlett is a beautiful neighborhood where its residents feel a strong sense of community and are very proud of their town. They take pride of their residences, streets and parks and I must say, it really does show!