Central Islip

In the last decade, Central Islip has gradually begun a renaissance, many observers say, adding new housing developments along with a wide-ranging array of commercial, entertainment and government complexes.

A few years ago, the new Cohalan County Court Complex and Federal Courthouse complex, the second largest in the country, opened on a portion of the former Central Islip Psychiatric Center's 788-acre campus. Nearby sits Citibank Park, where the Long Island Ducks, a minor league baseball team, debuted in 2000.

The former psychiatric center's campus also houses a branch of the New York Institute of Technology and residential town houses, and coming soon are Touro Law School, a hotel and three new housing developments, said Nancy Manfredonia, a 30-year resident and executive director of the Central Islip Civic Council.

Central Islip has a few historic structures as well. The Central Islip Civic Council resides on the 5-acre Heines Homestead, which houses a one-room schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop. Another site includes the 1869 First Methodist Church on Wheeler Avenue, which is being renovated.

The nearby Connetquot River State Park Preserve offers hiking, fishing and horseback riding. The Greenbelt trail also runs through the hamlet. The facilities are easily accessible from the Long Island Expressway and Southern State Parkway.

Central Islip is an ethnically diverse community that attracts many first-time home buyers. Capes, Colonials and various ranch-style homes dominate the area, according to Pat Smith of Prudential Douglas Elliman in East Islip. New homes such as high-ranches that occasionally sprout up start at about $400,000 said Denise Buser, owner of Denise Buser Realty Corp. in East Islip.

-Lisa Doll Bruno (12/16/2005)