This page serves as the central source of public information regarding the Village of Baxter Estates’ efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the Baxter Beach shoreline. The project represents a significant investment in the long-term resilience of our waterfront, the protection of critical public infrastructure, and the preservation of an important community asset for future generations.
Over time, shoreline erosion, aging infrastructure, and environmental impacts have caused deterioration along the waterfront adjacent to Shore Road. Existing shoreline protection measures have reached the end of their useful life, resulting in continued erosion, loss of vegetation, and increased vulnerability to storms and rising water levels. These conditions threaten not only the shoreline itself but also public infrastructure, including Shore Road, sidewalks, and utility corridors serving the surrounding community.
Through a $7.7 million New York State investment, the Village is undertaking a comprehensive shoreline stabilization project that will replace failing infrastructure, improve coastal resiliency, restore natural shoreline features, and enhance public access to the waterfront. The project incorporates modern engineering and environmental best practices, including living shoreline elements designed to provide long-term protection while supporting the ecological health of Manhasset Bay.
The Village is committed to maintaining transparency throughout every phase of the project. This webpage will be regularly updated with project plans, permits, environmental reviews, construction schedules, progress reports, public notices, meeting materials, frequently asked questions, and other relevant documents.
We recognize that construction activities may temporarily impact traffic, parking, and access in the area. While these short-term inconveniences are unavoidable, they are necessary to ensure the long-term protection of our shoreline and public infrastructure. The Village appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents, businesses, and visitors as this important work progresses.
We encourage residents of Baxter Estates, residents of the greater Port Washington area, and all interested stakeholders to visit this page regularly for the latest project information and updates.
Construction Notice – June 2026
The Village of Baxter Estates is pleased to announce that the long-awaited Baxter Beach Remediation Project will commence on Monday, June 8th at 7:00 a.m.!
The first fewdays of activity are expected to consist primarily of staging, mobilization, and site preparation. Construction work will begin as soon as conditions allow.
Residents should be aware that this project will have a significant impact on traffic along Shore Road. Unfortunately, there is no practical way to complete this critical infrastructure project without some disruption to vehicular traffic. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the construction process.
Because work can only be performed during periods of low tide, construction activities will occur at varying times throughout the day. As the tides change daily, work schedules will not always align favorably with morning and evening commuting hours. While every effort will be made to minimize impacts where possible, residents should anticipate periodic traffic delays and plan accordingly.
Please also note that the west-side sidewalk along Shore Road, between Harbor Road and Central Drive, will be closed during construction. Pedestrians are asked to utilize the designated crosswalks at Harbor Road and Main Street and to exercise caution when traveling through the area.
This project represents a critical investment in the future of our waterfront. The remediation work is necessary to stabilize the shoreline and protect Shore Road and the adjacent sidewalk from continued erosion and deterioration. Without these improvements, the long-term integrity of this infrastructure would be at risk.
We are excited to see this important project move forward and look forward to its successful completion. The Village thanks all residents for their understanding and cooperation as we undertake this vital improvement to our community.
$7.7 Million for Baxter Beach Remediation Press Release – July 2024
To the Residents of Baxter Estates,
Mayor Nora Haagenson has been fighting a long and hard battle for over 10 years for the restoration of Baxter Beach. Remediation of our Beach is no easy task. Erosion has badly undermined the sidewalk and the infrastructure. New York State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, Nassau County Legislator Delia DiRiggi-Whitton, North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, and Stevens Martinez and Angel Vasquez from the Govenor’s Office, have been championing the cause on our behalf of Baxter Estates. However, for some time it seemed their efforts were futile as it felt like we were always taking three steps forward and two steps back.
On July 16, 2024, with the Board of Trustees and our advocates present, Governor Kathy Hochul visited our Village Hall and presented us with an very generous grant of $7.7 million dedicated to the remediation and restoration of Baxter Beach.
“Long Islanders understand how quickly a rainy day can turn into flooded neighborhoods,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding will help Port Washington make critical infrastructure improvements and build a resilient community that can withstand the increased frequency of extreme weather events.”
Her press release stated that “the vanishing shoreline at Baxter Beach not only has significant impacts on plant and marine life, habitat and beach loss, but substantial flooding can immobilize tens of thousands of residents. During heavy rainfall and flooding events, residents are often trapped due to flooding on Shore Road.
“The $7.7 million will be used to mitigate coastal erosion and flooding and improve pedestrian connectivity. The proposed construction includes a porous asphalt walk, a rock sill, … and tidal planting to prevent flooding and erosion. Elevated overlook walkways, upper shoreline landscaping, benches, … and energy efficient lighting will also be built to improve the shoreline for all residents.”
The degradation of the waterfront, and Shore Road behind it, is a disaster waiting to happen and we are grateful that New York State and Governor Hochul heard the Mayor’s many call for help. The project will connect Baxter Estates to the Baywalk, creating a raised walkway along Baxter Beach, making it a safer route for pedestrians to travel along, a more beautiful spot for people to enjoy, and most importantly, the stabilization of our Beach.
As with anything this substantial, the project will take time and we invite to you stay tuned for future emails and updates.
We thank Governor Kathy Hochul
The Village of Baxter Estates, with a population of approximately 1,000 residents, is one of the smallest incorporated municipalities in Nassau County. Situated along the shores of Manhasset Bay, the Village has long valued its waterfront as both a community amenity and an important environmental resource. Baxter Beach serves as a unique public asset, providing scenic views, recreational opportunities, and ecological benefits for residents and visitors alike.
Like many coastal communities throughout Long Island, Baxter Estates faces increasing challenges associated with shoreline erosion, sea level rise, more frequent severe storm events, and aging coastal infrastructure. These environmental pressures have accelerated the deterioration of the Village’s shoreline and heightened concerns regarding public safety, infrastructure resilience, environmental sustainability, and regional transportation reliability.
The serious flooding conditions along Shore Road in Port Washington are well known throughout the community and remain a significant concern for residents, commuters, businesses, and emergency service providers. The section of Shore Road that traverses the Village of Baxter Estates, adjacent to Baxter Beach on Manhasset Bay, represents one of the most vulnerable areas along this corridor. As the roadway’s topographical low point, this location experiences frequent flooding during extreme high tides, coastal storm events, and periods of elevated water levels.
Over many years, shoreline erosion and exposure to coastal conditions have compromised the integrity of the existing shoreline protection infrastructure. The gabion basket system that currently lines portions of the shoreline was originally installed to protect Shore Road and the adjacent sidewalk from erosion and wave action. While it has served that purpose for decades, the system has deteriorated and is reaching the end of its useful life.
As the gabion structures have aged, shoreline material has continued to erode, vegetation has declined, and the adjacent sidewalk has experienced increasing undermining. Recent severe weather events, extreme tides, and ongoing coastal erosion have accelerated this deterioration, creating conditions that threaten both public infrastructure and public safety.
Unlike the existing gabion system, which functions primarily as a hard infrastructure protection measure, the Baxter Beach Shoreline Stabilization Project incorporates modern coastal resiliency strategies designed to both protect critical infrastructure and improve the environmental health of the shoreline. By stabilizing the shoreline, restoring native coastal habitat, and incorporating living shoreline elements where appropriate, the project seeks to create a more resilient waterfront capable of adapting to future coastal conditions while preserving the natural character of Baxter Beach and Manhasset Bay.
During extreme high tide events, water regularly overtops portions of the shoreline and sidewalk, flooding adjacent sections of Shore Road. The continued loss of shoreline protection increases the risk of roadway damage and eventual infrastructure failure. Left unaddressed, these conditions could eventually undermine the roadway itself, resulting in costly repairs, prolonged disruptions, and potentially significant impacts to regional mobility.
Although the project is physically located within the Village of Baxter Estates, its benefits extend throughout the Port Washington peninsula. Shore Road serves as a critical transportation corridor connecting Baxter Estates, Port Washington North, Manorhaven, Sands Point, and neighboring communities to the remainder of Port Washington and Nassau County. For many residents, this route represents the most direct and practical means of accessing schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, emergency services, and regional transportation networks.
Protecting the shoreline adjacent to Shore Road is therefore not simply a local infrastructure project—it is an investment in the continued mobility and resilience of the broader Port Washington community. By reducing the risk of roadway failure, flooding-related closures, and future emergency repairs, the project helps ensure that this vital transportation corridor remains reliable for the thousands of residents, workers, visitors, and first responders who depend upon it each day.
In addition to protecting transportation infrastructure, the project will provide environmental benefits that extend throughout Manhasset Bay. By stabilizing the shoreline, reducing erosion, restoring native coastal habitat, and incorporating modern living shoreline principles, the project will improve water quality, enhance ecological functions, and strengthen the natural resilience of the waterfront. These improvements support the long-term health of Manhasset Bay, a shared natural resource enjoyed by residents throughout Port Washington and the surrounding communities.
Recognizing these challenges and opportunities, the Village of Baxter Estates has undertaken a comprehensive shoreline stabilization and resiliency initiative designed to protect public infrastructure, preserve a critical regional transportation corridor, restore natural shoreline functions, improve environmental conditions, and enhance public access to the waterfront. The project represents an investment not only in Baxter Estates, but in the safety, mobility, and resilience of the entire Port Washington peninsula.
As climate-related impacts continue to affect coastal communities across Long Island, proactive investments such as the Baxter Beach Shoreline Stabilization Project help ensure that essential infrastructure remains protected, communities remain connected, and public resources remain available for future generations.
Coming Soon!