Williston Park: Small village with events, activities, pool draws generations of buyers
Williston Townhouse Diner sits on Hillside Avenue, a thoroughfare home to many of the area's eateries and businesses. Credit: Morgan Campbell
THE SCOOP Only 1 square mile, Williston Park has maintained a quaint yet bustling village for close to a century, with residents having close family ties.
In fact, next year will be the village's 100th anniversary celebration.
"My feeling is that Williston Park is very generational," Mayor Paul Ehrbar said. "Grandparents moved here, and then parents come back, and then their children. Some have been here since the '30s and '40s."
Williston Park, in North Hempstead, is divided by areas in and out of the village, and between two school districts; Mineola and Herricks schools. Two private schools — Schechter School of Long Island, a Jewish day school, and St. Aidan Catholic School — are also an "integral part of the neighborhood," Ehrbar said.
About 7,500 residents live in the village, with about 2,400 homes.
Dawn Muzikant, of Williston Park, walks her dog, Bailey, at John D. Caemmerer Park. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Daily life often revolves around activities set up by the village, including Halloween events, where some streets are blocked off for trick-or-treaters, and a winter holiday-themed tree lighting celebration in the hub of the village — the gazebo — which thousands attend.
"We call it our Hallmark-type event at the gazebo," Ehrbar said.
The annual street fair can draw up to 10,000 visitors.
Another hub of the town, notably in the summertime, is the village pool. Residents of the small village often walk there from home.
"Everybody goes there," said Rhona May Crespo, a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Coach, who sells in the area.
"It's like camp," she joked, adding that she learned to swim there, as well as her own children.
Bryce Holloway, left, of Hempstead, and Cheyenne Hamilton, of Freeport, browse the selection at Grasshopper's Comics on Hillside Avenue. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Part of the allure is its vibrant business community.
Barbara Baur-Rizzo, co-president of the Chamber of the Willistons and an agent with Berkshire Hathaway, said most of the businesses are on Hillside Avenue and Willis Avenue, including restaurants, shops and other family-owned businesses.
"We never have an empty storefront," she said.
Ehrbar agreed. "When one business closes, another opens in its place."
Single-family homes sell fast in the community, Baur-Rizzo said.
The village also has a large apartment complex for rentals: Williston House on Willis Avenue.
In 1926, the community east of the railroad tracks formed the incorporated village of East Williston. That year, New York developer William Chattos bought just under 200 acres in the area and built around 1,000 homes, later called "Happiness Homes."
Homes along Marcellus Road in Williston Park. Credit: Morgan Campbell
SALE PRICES Between Oct. 30, 2024, and Oct. 29, 2025, there were 45 home sales with a median sale price of $860,000, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 29 home sales with a median sale price of $840,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 7,508
Median age 40.7
Median home value $850,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from East Williston $253
School districts, graduation rates Mineola (95%), Herricks (98%)
Library Williston Park
Transit NICE Bus Route 23
Sources: 2023 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Nassau Inter-County Express
ON THE MARKET
$975,000
This $975,000 Williston Park home has four bedrooms. Credit: Debi Curtis Photography
This four-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex was built in 1928. Each unit has two bedrooms and one bathroom, with one on the main floor and the other on the second floor. The first-floor unit has a partially finished basement, and the upstairs has a walk-up attic. Outside is a four-car driveway and a detached garage. Taxes are $12,779. Maria Carusone Bolen (516-993-7386) and John Canino (516-204-2478), Berkshire Hathaway.
$899,000
This $899,000 Williston Park home was built in 1938. Credit: inGageRE Studios/Mark Horowitz
Built in 1938, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape has a large rear dormer. The kitchen has a gas stove and adjacent eat-in area. A partially finished basement is carpeted with a bar area, and the backyard is landscaped with a wood-shingle shed. Annual taxes are $9,585. Chris Manteria, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 516-808-1424.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.32 million
Park Avenue
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1927
Lot size 0.11 acre
Taxes $17,944
+/- List price -$120,112
Days on market 72
$970,000
Princeton Street
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1929
Lot size 0.09 acre
Taxes $14,236
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 69
$697,000
Pennsylvania Avenue
Style Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2
Built 1955
Lot size 0.1 acre
Taxes $10,904
+/- List price -$28,000
Days on market 106
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 12
Price range $749,000 to $1.09 million
Tax range $8,970 to $14,886
