Christopher Morley Park

Christopher Morley Park
The clock tower at Christopher Morley Park on July 22, 2021.
Type	Public
Location	Roslyn Heights, New York
Area	98 acres
Created	1961
Parking	Yes
Website	www.nassaucountyny.gov/2794/Christopher-Morley-Park

Christopher Morley Park is a public, Nassau County-owned park in North Hills, New York.

Description

The park first opened in 1961.^[1][2] It is named for and dedicated after the late writer Christopher Morley, who lived a few blocks away in Roslyn Estates.^[1][2] It occupies 98 acres (40 ha) of land, and was once part of the Nettie Ryan Estate.^[1][2] The County of Nassau purchased the estate for roughly $700,000 (1961 USD).^[3]

The park contains

• Dog Park
• Playgrounds
• Walking Paths
• Outdoor Swimming Pools
• A 9 Hole Golf Course
• 3 Baseball/Softball Fields
• Outdoor Ice Skating
• 4 Basketball Courts
• 2 Pickleball Courts
• Paddleball Courts
• Shuffle Board
• Picnic Area
• Fitness Trail ^[2]

The Knothole

Christopher Morley Park also is home to "The Knothole," Morley's writing studio.^[1][4][5] In 1961, a group of local residents wanted to save the Knothole and relocate it to city ground in Roslyn park or on a rented property. The Knothole was located on Mr. Morley’s past estate.^[6] In 1962, a proposal was approved by Nassau County Executive Eugene H. Nickerson to move the Knothole to a county park in North Hills.^[7] In 1966, the Knothole was transferred to the park, now called Christopher Morley Park. The renovated Knothole includes built-in bookshelves, a fireplace and a bunkbed. The Knothole's "dymaxion" bathroom was designed in 1936 by Morley's friend, Buckminster Fuller, the renowned scientist and inventor.^[8]

See also

• Bay Park (Bay Park, New York) – Another major park owned and operated by Nassau County.
• Cantiague Park – Another major park owned and operated by Nassau County.
• Eisenhower Park – Another major park owned and operated by Nassau County.
• North Woodmere Park – Another major park owned and operated by Nassau County.
• Wantagh Park – Another major park owned and operated by Nassau County.

References

1. "Centerpiece for New Park on L.I.; Christopher Morley's Cabin To Be a Memorial in L.I. Park A Latin Inscription". The New York Times. 1963-09-03. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
2. "Christopher Morley Park | Nassau County, NY - Official Website". www.nassaucountyny.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
3. Silver, Roy R. (1961-06-09). "NASSAU WILL BUY ESTATE FOR PARK; 100-Acre Ryan Site in North Hills to Cost $700,000". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
4. "The Knothole". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
5. Clinton, Audrey (April 6, 1974). "A Stroll Through The Christopher Morley Scene". Newsday – via ProQuest.
6. "Group Acts to Save Cabin Morley Used in Roslyn Heights". The New York Times. 18 February 1961.
7. "MORLEY STUDIO TO MOVE; Late Author's Workplace to be Preserved in New Park". The New York Times. 21 March 1962.
8. "Christopher Morley Park | Nassau County, NY - Official Website".

40°47′5″N 73°39′42″W