Nyack officials mull ban on private businesses in park

Officials in Nyack are considering an amendment to the town law that would prohibit private businesses from operating in village parks.
Community activists say the park off Piermont Avenue in Nyack, which underwent a recent facelift and features a splash pad, has become inundated with outsiders and private companies. They say those groups are private institutions or camps that come in droves daily and set up shop at the public space.
"Don't insist that other little children leave the splash pad because three busloads of your people have come thronging in and want to take it over. That's just not neighborly," says community activist Mark Dery.
Nyack Mayor Don Hammond say the village of Nyack and Upper Nyack are concerned, not about specific people from specific communities, but the inundation of out-of-towners who flout local law and don't respect civil society. Hammond says he may also appoint village employees to monitor the crowds throughout the summer season.
A meeting on the proposed amendment to prohibit private businesses from operating in the park will be held at Nyack Town Hall Thursday at 7:30 p.m.