Restoration of Fort Pond House, Carol Morrison Park Completed

The Town of East Hampton announced that the restoration of Fort Pond House in Montauk has been completed and is ready for community use.

The Deadrick house, now known as Fort Pond House, was previously a 1200 square foot residence and built circa 1926.

The house was purchased by East Hampton Town in 2003 from Lee A Deadrick as a general fund purchase for general municipal use and used for environmental education and arts classes until it was closed in 2010, designated as surplus property, and was listed for sale.

The resolution of sale was rescinded in August 2013 and the 4-acre property located on 128 Second House Road was officially designated Carol Morrison Park (named after Carol Morrison, a well-known Montauk environmentalist and land preservation pioneer).

Through the leadership of the Town’s Property Management Committee, community donations and volunteer support, an extensive 12-month renovation and restoration of both the house and grounds has been completed.

“Recognizing the value of this property to our community, I am proud to have contributed to its restoration,” Town Deputy Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, committee liaison, said. “The dedication and effort from our Property Management Committee, several Town departments, and donations from Men at Work, CCOM, Warren’s Nursery and Fort Pond Native plants, have demonstrated the benefit of an effective public-private partnership”.

The property consists of 3.9 acres of natural woodland and open lawn, and occupies a promontory overlooking Fort Pond.

It is situated on the western shore of Fort Pond, the second largest fresh water pond on Long Island, and 784 feet of the property’s perimeter is bordered by Fort Pond waterfront.

There are trails throughout the property, and there is launching access for small boats, kayaks and canoes to Fort Pond.

Before it was closed down, the Montauk Boy Scouts, Montauk Public School, Third House Nature Center, CCOM, Hampton’s Shakespeare and numerous other organizations and groups all regularly used the property.

“Many of these same organizations have expressed interest in their continued use of Fort Pond House and Carol Morrison Park, and we now have a tremendous asset and management plan to help ensure they can,” Van Scoyoc said.

The Town is looking to use the park grounds to provide a recreational environment and easy public access – open from dawn to dusk with no locked gate.

The Fort Pond House will provide an ADA compliant environment for educational and cultural activities – access by appointment only, locked door with key pad entry.

Revenue generating events will be permitted at an agreed annual frequency, mass gatherings will need to meet occupancy laws and obtain required permits.

Scheduling of events will be coordinated by the East Hampton Town Recreational Department and accessed through the Carol Morrison Park website at ehamptonny.gov.