The Lie:
Assemblyman Daniel Norber lied when he claimed his legislation to convert, or “alienate” a portion of Kings Point Park (KPP) into a private parking lot was intended for the enjoyment of “the greater community“. (Alienation is the legislative process that turns parkland into non-park use.)
Why You May Believe the Lie:
- Although he lacked an understanding of the flooding, traffic and other impacts of the proposed alienation, and without community input, Norber introduced a bill in the NY State Assembly, on June 9, 2025 to take nearly 2.5 acres of KPP for a private parking lot.
- The Great Neck Park District attempted to shift the narrative away from the parkland alienation by convincing the public that the purpose is to swap this 2.5 acre active parkland for a larger parcel of land located a mile away that could be turned into a passive park.
The Truth:
- Norber’s failure to conduct due diligence, and his unwillingness to suspend his efforts to alienate the parkland, even after being informed of the deficiencies, compelled the community to successfully file an Article 78 proceeding.
- Despite the community’s opposition to the parkland alienation, Norber allowed his bill to be automatically introduced in the 2026 Legislative session. He finally withdrew the bill in March 2026, five months after the Village agreed to annul their Negative Declaration.
- Nevertheless, a new environmental analysis is underway, and Norber has yet to engage his constituents nor demand transparency in the regulatory process.
Action You Can Take:
- Share this post on your social media and email and discuss it with your friends.
- Contact Norber at 516-482-6966 or norberd@nyassembly.gov and demand that he:
- publicly commit to NOT introducing new legislation to alienate any portion of Kings Point Park where the environmental review is incomplete and/or hidden from the community, and
- specifically ask him to ensure that the cumulative impacts from the parkland alienation together with the traffic, flooding, contamination and other potentially significant impacts from the adjacent building are fully evaluated and explained to the community.
Sources:
- The GNPD statement on the alienation of Kings Point Park – indicating that Assemblyman Dan Norber was advancing the alienation legislation, “so that the Park District and the greater community can enjoy this wonderful benefit.”
- Newsday article, 6/18/25 – Plan to Convey Part of Kings Point Park for Community Center Parking Lot Dies in Albany, by Joshua Needleman
