Christopher Morley Park - Golf on Long Island

Category: Golf

CHRISTOPHER MORLEY PARK, SET ON 98 ACRES AND CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE county, has been in the Nassau County park system since 1961. The County paid $704,000 for the property, which was the former estate of Nettie Ryan and included the Links Golf Club. The park is named after Christopher Morley, one of the foremost American “men of letters” in the 20th century, a prolific writer who produced more than 50 books, including several popular novels, plays, poetry and essays. He also edited two volumes of “Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations” and was a founder of the Book of the Month Club.

A great deal of Morley's work was done in a functional one-room studio called the “Knothole” (see fuller description in the list below), located on his property in Roslyn on the North Shore and constructed in 1934. “I built myself a pine-wood cabin, as aloofly as a Long Island suburb would permit, to consort with the shade of John Bartlett,” wrote Morley.

In 1966, nine years after Morley’s death, the writer’s friends and neighbors had the Knothole transferred to one of Nassau County’s parks in Roslyn-North Hills, subsequently named Christopher Morley Park. The Knothole, renovated in 2006, includes built-in bookshelves, a fireplace and a bunkbed. But the public has been most intrigued over the years by the Knothole’s “dymaxion” bathroom, which was designed in 1936 by Morley’s friend, Buckminster Fuller, the renowned scientist and inventor. It is a one-piece, pre-assembled unit.

The park provides numerous opportunities for recreation:

ATHLETICS & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
There are five tennis courts (fee and Leisure Pass required);
four lighted handball/paddleball courts;
four basketball courts;
and two paddle-tennis courts.
Athletic fields include three baseball fields (softball and hardball, including Little League) and volleyball courts.

Ice Skating:

Christopher Morley’s outdoor ice skating rink, a community fixture since 1966, was named by News 12 Long Island viewers as the best outdoor skating rink on Long Island. The facility, which is 200-feet by 80-feet, is used by recreational skaters and hockey teams. Group and private lessons are available; skate rentals are also available. Please note that the skating rink closed for the season on March 1, 2010.
Hours: Three two-hour morning/day sessions Mon. - Thurs., Sat. - Sun. at 10:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and two-hour sessions on Friday at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Fees (daily): Resident adult with Leisure Pass, $7; resident teenager 13-17 years of age with Leisure Pass, $5; resident child 12 and under accompanied by adult with Leisure Pass, $5; senior, disabled, vol. firefighter, ambulance corps, auxiliary police, veterans with Leisure Pass, $4; adult without Leisure Pass, $14, child without Leisure Pass, $10. Skate rentals are available for $5.


Swimming:


The pool is a popular summer destination.
The outdoor swimming pool complex, open during summer, includes an Olympic-sized pool, diving tank with boards, and a “kiddie” pool. Lockers and showers are available.
Hours: Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fees (daily): Resident adult, $5; resident child (4-17 years of age), $3; senior, disabled, vol. firefighter, ambulance corps, auxiliary police, veterans, $3; non-resident adult, $10, non-resident child guest, $6. Seasonal family ($225), individual ($90) and senior ($50) memberships are also available. A Leisure Pass is required for residents to receive the resident rate.
Dog run:

A dog run is located on the north side of the parking lot by the Christopher Morley "Knothole." Please note that dogs are not allowed in any County parks or preserves, with the exception of the dog runs.
Other Activities:

The park features 30 acres of peaceful and beautiful wooded nature trails that provide an ideal area for a leisurely stroll or jogging.
There are courts for horseshoes and shuffleboard.