Kings Park, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kings Park, New York
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
motto =

---

imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Kings Park Psychiatric Center


image_

pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
pushpin_mapsize =

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = U.S. Census Map


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Suffolk
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 16.3
area_land_km2 = 15.3
area_water_km2 = 1.0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.3
area_land_sq_mi = 5.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.4

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 16146
population_density_km2 = 1058.1
population_density_sq_mi = 2740.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 53
elevation_ft = 174
latd = 40 |latm = 53 |lats = 19 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 14 |longs = 33 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 11754
area_code = 631
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-39672
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0954667
website =
footnotes =

Kings Park is a census-designated place (CDP) and town located in the Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, New York, on Long Island. The population was 16,146 at the 2000 census.It borders Nissequogue to its east across the riveria, with Fort Salonga to its west, Commack to its southwest and Smithtown CDP, to its east. Kings Park is noted for its schools, numerous parks, and natural beauty. Many educated professionals have moved to Kings Park in the last decade. Since the closing of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center in 1994, household incomes & affluence has increased dramatically. It is now one of the wealthiest places in New York.

Geography

Kings Park is located at coor dms|40|53|19|N|73|14|33|W|city (40.888497, -73.242582)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) (6.21%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 18,847 people, 6,362 households, and 3,197 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,740.4 per square mile (1,058.4/km²). There were 5,574 housing units at an average density of 946.1/sq mi (365.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.7% White, 0.8% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 5,480 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 7.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.32.

As of 2006

The median income for a household in the CDP was $140,080 and the median income for a family was $165,600. Males had a median income of $100,600 versus $58,346 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $80,540. None of the Families and 0.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2007, the average home price is $788,700, compared with $403,000 in 2000.

Kings Park Psychiatric Center

The Kings Park Psychiatric Center was built by Kings County (before becoming part of New York City) in 1885 after Dr. Oliver Dewing's successful campaign to develop a hospital for the mentally ill on an convert|870|acre|km2|sing=on plot of land. The hospital was originally called Kings County Farm, a care center for the poor and mentally ill operated by Brooklyn officials. Kings County Farm is the origin of the name Kings Park.

In 1954 the Center's patient population peaked at 9,303. The Center was a key source of employment for the area during this time period, and was perhaps the most important factor in the hamlet's development.

Increasing costs to run hospital facilities and changing views about integrating the mentally ill into the population at large led to large-scale movement of patient population back into society. As patient totals declined, so did employment at the center. The decrease in state employment caused a demographics shift, as an increasing percentage of the population became employed in New York City. There are numerous studies tying this deinstitutionalization of mentally ill patients to increased homelessness and crime in New York City in the 1970's.

In 1996, the KPPC property closed. The remaining patients were transferred to Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. The State of New York has abandoned a deal to sell the property to Cherokee Northeast/Arker Companies for remediation and future redevelopment. The plans have been opposed vehemently by many townspeople, most notably the Kings Park Coalition Against High Density Housing, and has become an important political issue in many local political campaigns. Other development options for the property have included a Long Island Railroad service facility as well as a college campus.

Claims to fame

Kings Park is the hometown of Houston Astros catcher/second baseman/outfielder Craig Biggio. Biggio has been named one of the 5 greatest second baseman of all time by renowned baseball statistician Bill James. He is also the modern-era record-holder for HBPs with 273, and the only player in history to be named an All-Star at both the catcher and second baseman positions.

Kings Park is the birthplace of Ryan Charles Hild, graduate of Kings Park High School. As a member of the fighting Kingsmen, he led his baseball teams to 4 straight state tournament appearances from 1992-1996. He was selected in the 1996 amateur baseball draft by the Houston Astros in the 38th round.

Kings Park is also the hometown of John Petrucci, John Myung, and Kevin Moore, founding members of influential progressive metal band Dream Theater.

Kings Park was home to the Long Island Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1965-1984. The Kingsmen were the American Legion National Champions in 1978 and 1979 and the VFW National Champions in 1979. The corps also placed 21st in 1979 and 16th in 1980 at the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships.

International Dj David Fallica a.k.a. DJ TIC TAC & Effin Grea, graduated from Kings Park High School

Other landmarks

Sunken Meadow State Park borders the Long Island Sound and is accessible by the Sunken Meadow State Parkway. It is a part of the New York State Parks system. In addition to the water, the park boasts convert|6|mi|km of public trails and 27 holes of golf. The park's facilities make it ideally suited for many activities, among them various distance running competitions. The infamous "Cardiac Hill" is well known by local runners.

The Nissequogue River, convert|6|mi|km in length, empties into the Long Island Sound and is readily accessible for all manner of water activities. The scenic river snakes through the recently christened Nissequogue River State Park.

References

External links

* [http://www.kingsparkli.com/ Kings Park Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.kpcsd.k12.ny.us/ Kings Park Central School District]
* [http://www.cmarshall.net/miscellaneous/kppc.htm A High-Quality PDF Map and a Photo Essay of the Abandoned Hospital]