Great Neck, New York, nestled on the North Shore of Long Island in Nassau County, is known for its beautiful waterfront views and quaint suburban charm. The peninsula is comprised of several incorporated villages as well as hamlets. Among the many initiatives helping the town thrive, Destination Great Neck stands out as a pivotal community organization revitalizing the area's collective spirit.
Destination: Great Neck is a 501(c)(3) community organization founded in 2021 with a clear mission: to promote the economic vitality and cultural offerings of Great Neck. The organization works tirelessly to connect residents, support local businesses, and foster a strong sense of belonging among the town’s diverse population.
One of the most important goals of Destination; Great Neck ("DGN") is to fortify economic development. By working closely with small businesses, merchants, and service providers, Destination: Great Neck creates opportunities for growth. Their “shop local” campaigns encourage residents to invest in their own community, driving sales to neighborhood stores and enhancing the overall economy.
A hallmark of Destination: Great Neck is the variety of community events it sponsors throughout the year. These events don’t just draw crowds-they create an opportunity for neighbors to connect, deepen their ties, and share in the town’s collective identity. Destination: Great Neck ensures that these events reflect the diversity of the community, showcasing the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the peninsula of Great Neck.
As its name suggests, Destination: Great Neck also aims to attract visitors from surrounding regions. Through curated marketing campaigns, partnerships with local officials and an emphasis on the area’s many attractions, Destination: Great Neck is creating a regional hub for tourism. With its close proximity to New York City, historical landmarks, and stunning waterfront views, Great Neck has all the makings of a perfect day-trip destination. One of the key strengths of Destination: Great Neck lies in its collaborative approach.
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The organization partners with various stakeholders-from local government to business owners and visitors -creating a network that works together for the common good. This partnership allows the organization to harness a wide range of resources and ideas, resulting in a more cohesive and prosperous community.
Destination: Great Neck’s success is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. By focusing on economic growth, community building, and tourism development, the organization has created a blueprint for sustainable growth. With its forward-thinking approach and dedication to inclusivity, Destination: Great Neck is not only improving the quality of life for its residents but also establishing Great Neck as a thriving hub of culture and commerce.
In a world where many towns are struggling to preserve their local economies, Destination: Great Neck offers a refreshing example of how collaboration, creativity, and community spirit can lead to sustained success.
Among the many attractions in Great Neck is the Parkwood Sports Complex, which has been a cornerstone of the community since its founding in 1970.
Parkwood Sports Complex: A Community Hub
Founded in 1970, Parkwood Sports Complex of Great Neck, NY is an indoor rink and open seasonally from September 15th to May 31st. The complex offers a variety of programs for all ages and skill levels.
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Parkwood Pool and Ice Rink. Source: Wikipedia
Public Skating Sessions
Public skating sessions are one of the main attractions at Parkwood Sports Complex. Skating provides great exercise and an opportunity to get out of the house - plus, it's not like exercising at the gym... skating is fun! Lace-em up and come join the others.
Learn to Skate Programs
Are you an adult looking to learn to skate? Do you have children yearning to skate like the pros? If so, we love to teach and our instructors are top notch. For beginners we focus on providing the basics. For more advanced skaters we focus on proper form, technique and getting you ready to meet your goals.
Ice Hockey Programs
We offer both Adult and Youth Ice Hockey programs and leagues. Whether you are a beginning skater looking to play on a team in an instructional league or an experienced ice hockey player looking to get out and play with others of a similar caliber, Parkwood Sports Complex is the place to play. Give us a call at (516) 487-2976 to inquire about our leagues now.
Parties and Events
Why not have your party or event at Parkwood Sports Complex? We can make our rink and other facilities available to you for birthday parties, holiday parties or corporate events. Our prices are great. We'd love to have you out. Give us a call if you'd like to schedule your event now at (516) 487-2976.
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Parkwood can also provide tennis lessons and skating lessons. The Parkwood Pool and skating rink complex, the Village Green and sections of Kings Point Park are managed by the Great Neck Park District. The Park District serves all Great Neck except the villages of Saddle Rock, Great Neck Estates, and Lake Success, and the neighborhoods (not hamlets) of Harbor Hills and University Gardens. Areas not served by the Great Neck Park District have their own facilities for their residents, run by the villages or civic associations.
From Great Neck to Gold: The Story of Sarah Hughes
Sarah Hughes at the 2006 World Championships. Source: Wikipedia
One of the most celebrated figures to emerge from Great Neck's skating scene is Sarah Hughes. Sarah Hughes began skating at the age of 3 on the rink built by her father in their backyard. The rest, as they say, is history.
She was the 3rd Place Winner at the 2001 World Figure Skating Championships, and then, at the age of 16, she became a Gold Medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. national competition in subsequent years. Sarah is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and the James E. Sullivan Award which recognized her as the nation's top amateur athlete.
Sarah, a 2003 graduate of Great Neck North High School, graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor's Degree in American Studies in 2009. She is active with several social causes and sports organizations, including the Women's Sport Foundation. In recent years, she lent her support for the Hope organization, which holds skating events to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness.
Sarah Hughes-Keynote
Emily Hughes: Following in Her Sister's Footsteps
Emily Hughes followed in her sister Sarah's footsteps while still blazing her own trail in the competitive world of figure skating. Emily was a published author at an early age, co-writing a book entitled "I am a Skater" in 2002.
Emily won the bronze medal at the 2005 World Junior Championships, the first major international event she entered. Figure Skating Championships and was named an alternate to the 2006 Winter Olympics. When Michelle Kwan withdrew, Emily flew to Torino, Italy and placed seventh at the Olympic Games.
Emily, a 2007 graduate of Great Neck North High School, attended Harvard University. After Harvard, Hughes worked at Deloitte Consulting and the International Olympic Committee. The former Olympian joined Google as a business analyst in 2015 where she worked on Google Fiber. She now works at Johnson & Johnson and also serves on the United States Olympic Committee’s Athletes Advisory Council.