Baxter’s Pond Foundation, the nonprofit environmental steward of Baxter’s Pond and the surrounding Barbara Johnson Park & Preserve, has announced that the groundskeeper’s cottage at the entrance to the park has been named in honor of BPF Founder Nancy Comer as a result of a resolution introduced by Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.
The newly dedicated “Nancy A. Comer Cottage” was unveiled at a special event in the park on Sunday, Oct. 29, with local officials and residents in attendance.
Comer, the Foundation’s former long-term president and current board member, co-founded the group in 2003 with the late Carolyn Mandel.
Historic Baxter’s Pond is the centerpiece of the Village of Baxter Estates.
While the Pond and Park are owned by Nassau County, Comer recognized that in order to maintain their beauty and environmental integrity, local residents needed to be involved in their continuous care and maintenance.
To that end she created the foundation and has remained its guiding spirit for 20 years.
“Nancy conceived of a mission not just to maintain and beautify the Pond and Park but to realize the full potential of Baxter’s Pond as a welcoming green space and vital watershed. We are so happy to honor her by dedicating the cottage in her name,” said BPF Co-Presidents Kim and John Keiserman.
“With the help and hard work of many people from our community and elsewhere, the building has gone from shack, to shed to cottage, just as the Park itself has improved, and continues to blossom,” said Comer.
In attendance were DeRiggi-Whitton, whose support has led to the recent renovation and restoration work in the Park, as well as state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, TONH Supervisor Jen DeSena, Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey, Erin Molyneux representing Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, and Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson.
Visit baxterspond.org for more information on BPF’s events and environmental efforts or to donate. BPF can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
