The New York State Franchise Oversight Board has determined the triangular plot of land that separates Floral Park and Belmont Park will remain as an undeveloped parcel and not be included in any future plans to turn it into the parking lot. 

The board, which represents the interest of the state in the real estate at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga, held a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 1 in whcih they considered designating the land as open space, according to Floral Park Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald. 

It has long been a priority of the village to maintain and preserve the property that connects the end of Crocus Avenue, Floral Park-Bellerose School’s playground and the north lot of Belmont Park. 

In 2019, an Empire State Development Corp. environmental impact statement said the area would be untouched and residents would be given a privacy screen but construction as recent as last winter temporarily violated the promise. 

“They passed a resolution deeming that it will remain as open space and cannot be used for the parking lot,” Fitzgerald said Tuesday night during the village’s board of trustees meeting. 

Fitzgerald thanked the New York Racing Association, state Assemblymember Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont), the Floral Park-Bellerose School District, Village Administrator Gerard Bambrick and residents, among others. 

“They were very active in advocating and making sure that their voices were heard and that this would create a substantial buffer not only for residents but for the children using the playground at the school,” Fitzgerald said. “We are very happy with that.”

In October, Fitzgerald sent a letter to the community detailing previous issues with development at Belmont Park that has since been resolved pertaining to the parcel of land. 

Priorities for the village included maintaining the area, known as “the Triangle,” with greenery and allowing the school an easement in parts of the preserved area for class use. 

Plans for the Belmont Park Redevelopment Project were revealed during the later half of 2017.

Ground was broken for the UBS Arena in September 2019 and construction resumed in May 2021 after a delay due to COVID-19.

The Islanders opened the doors to their new home last November and the arena has held hockey games, concerts and other events ever since.