North Hempstead Approves $900K Kiddie Pool Renovations

The town will fund liner installation and other improvements to address persistent leakage issues.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Town of North Hempstead has approved $900,000 in renovations to the Clinton G. Martin kiddie pool, including installing a liner to prevent ongoing leakage problems that have plagued the pool since it opened. The town will fund the project through $1.31 million in bonds, with additional work planned to replace the park's wasteline and resurface tennis courts for pickleball.

Why it matters

The kiddie pool has experienced persistent leakage issues since its original construction, leading to wasted water, higher utility bills, and regular repair costs for the town. The planned renovations aim to provide a more permanent solution to stop the leaks and ensure the pool can be properly maintained for local families.

The details

According to the resolution, the town will fund the pool renovations, including a liner installation to prevent leakage, as well as other capital improvements to the park. The New Hyde Park Park District will also be replacing the park's wasteline and resurfacing tennis courts for pickleball, costing $160,000 and $250,000 respectively. The town's Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, Kelly Gillen, stated that after consulting with engineers, the liner installation was deemed the most permanent solution to stop the persistent leaks the pool has experienced since its opening.

  • The Town of North Hempstead approved the $900,000 in pool renovations at its board meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • The pool has experienced leakage issues since it first opened.

The players

Town of North Hempstead

The local government entity that approved the $900,000 in renovations to the Clinton G. Martin kiddie pool.

Kelly Gillen

The Commissioner of Parks & Recreation for the Town of North Hempstead, who stated that the liner installation was deemed the most permanent solution to stop the pool's persistent leakage issues.

Yaron Levy

The Councilman representing the 5th District, who asked about possible recourse against the original renovation contractor.

Rich Nicolello

The Town Attorney, who stated that any recourse against the original contractor had long since been resolved.

New Hyde Park Park District

The local park district that will be replacing the park's wasteline and resurfacing tennis courts as part of the overall improvements.

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What they’re saying

“After consultation with two engineers, they said this would be the most permanent solution to stop the leaks that we experience every year.”

— Kelly Gillen, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation

“I believe it may have gone to litigation.”

— Yaron Levy, Councilman, 5th District

“Whatever recourse we had against that contractor is long since gone.”

— Rich Nicolello, Town Attorney

What’s next

The town will begin the $900,000 renovation project to install a liner and make other improvements to the Clinton G. Martin kiddie pool in the coming months.

The takeaway

This investment in renovating the persistently leaky kiddie pool demonstrates the town's commitment to maintaining quality public recreational facilities for local families, even when faced with ongoing issues from the original construction.