The Neighborhoods of Merrick
From Hollywood glamour to Methodist camp meetings, 13+ distinct neighborhoods each tell a unique chapter of Long Island history.
Merrick Gables
Spanish Colonial Revival homes built by Hollywood mogul William Fox. Once nicknamed "Mini Hollywood."
When movie magnate William Fox—founder of Fox Film Corporation—partnered with promoter Joseph Frankel in 1926, they envisioned a California-style paradise just 30 miles from Manhattan. The result? Eight blocks of white stucco homes with terracotta tile roofs, octagonal towers, and arched doorways that made Hollywood stars like Errol Flynn and Ed Begley feel right at home during their Broadway runs.
The 1929 crash halted construction, leaving 400 lots to be auctioned off in bankruptcy. But roughly 260 original homes survive today—still attracting film crews. HBO's Mildred Pierce with Kate Winslet and FX's Fosse/Verdon both filmed here, the Spanish architecture doubling effortlessly for 1930s Los Angeles.
What to Look For
- Fox Boulevard and Frankel Boulevard — named for the developers
- Stucco walls and terracotta roofs — the signature Spanish Colonial style
- Octagonal towers and arched doorways — original architectural details
- Cathedral ceilings — many homes feature 18-foot vaulted interiors
Camp Grounds
Long Island's secret tiny home village, born from Methodist camp meetings on circular wagon paths.
Hidden in North Merrick lies one of Long Island's strangest neighborhoods: a cluster of miniature cottages arranged in concentric circles around what was once a Methodist tabernacle. In 1869, the Long Island Camp Meeting Association purchased 60 acres for summer revival meetings that drew up to 10,000 faithful. Tents gave way to tiny cottages—seasonal rentals at $30-50 per summer—designed for families attending 10-day services, not year-round living.
Today, about 20 original cottages survive on pie-shaped lots along curved streets like Fletcher Avenue and Asbury Avenue. The circular layout still follows those 19th-century wagon paths. Similar to Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard and Pitman Grove in New Jersey, Merrick's Camp Grounds represents a rare surviving piece of America's religious revival history.
What to Look For
- Circular street pattern — Fletcher and Asbury Avenues curve like wagon wheels
- Pie-shaped lots — the original tent sites converge at center
- Tiny cottages — some no larger than a garage
- The chapel at 4 Peck Avenue — one of two landmarked structures
Merrick Station
Gateway to NYC featuring Alan Sonfist's hand-painted tile murals of local history.
When the South Side Railroad opened Merrick Station on October 28, 1867, the hamlet had roughly 1,000 residents and grain farms. The railroad changed everything—transforming Merrick from agricultural outpost to summer destination for Manhattan and Brooklyn families, and eventually into the commuter suburb it is today.
The current elevated station (opened 1975) features a hidden treasure: artist Alan Sonfist's 1993 series of hand-painted porcelain tile murals depicting Merrick's history in eight panels—from Ice Age geology through Native American habitation, European settlement, and the railroad that, as Sonfist described, became "a bridging device to bring together the surrounding communities."
What to Look For
- Alan Sonfist's tile murals — eight panels on the platform columns
- The Roxey Memorial — gravestone for the beloved LIRR dog mascot (d. 1914) on the south side
- Historic clock — a station landmark
Library District
Heart of Merrick, anchored by the library two teenagers founded 134 years ago.
In 1891, two enterprising teenagers—Edward C. Cammann (17) and Richard P. Kent (18)—collected about 50 books from family and friends and started lending them from a hayloft on the Cammann family farm. That barn-loft library has since occupied six buildings across five locations, evolving into the modern Merrick Library that opened in 2005.
The founders left their mark beyond books: Cammann planted the Dutch elm trees along Merrick Avenue to create a "cathedral effect," while Kent filled the Lindenmere neighborhood with his beloved linden trees. The original 1897 library building—a Victorian cottage that cost $1,150 to build—still stands as a New York State Historical Site.
What to Look For
- The 1897 library building — Victorian cottage, now a historical site
- Dutch elm trees on Merrick Avenue — planted by Cammann for "cathedral effect"
- Modern library at Narwood Avenue — opened 2005 after $10M renovation
Old Lindenmere
Historic estates surrounding Cammann's Pond, the neighborhood that gave Merrick its "old money" character.
Named for the linden trees planted by library founder Richard P. Kent, Lindenmere was summer residence territory for wealthy Manhattan and Brooklyn families in the late 1800s—including the Cammanns and Kents who shaped so much of Merrick's early development.
At its heart sits Cammann's Pond (the "duck pond"), a beloved local landmark named for the family who donated land for the original library. The homes surrounding the pond are considered "Merrick's pride"—some dating to 1912, carrying genuine old-world charm in an era of teardowns.
What to Look For
- Cammann's Pond — the duck pond at the heart of the neighborhood
- Historic homes dating to 1912 — some of Merrick's oldest residences
- Linden trees — planted by Richard Kent, giving the area its name
Merrick Woods
Luxury homes on tree-lined streets—the "cream of the crop" of Merrick real estate.
If you want to know where Merrick's doctors, lawyers, and executives live, look to Merrick Woods. This upscale enclave features spacious Colonials and expanded ranches on generously wooded lots, creating a stately suburban atmosphere that stands apart from Merrick's more modest neighborhoods.
The tree-lined streets and manicured properties command premium prices—making this the neighborhood where "Merrick" truly becomes a prestige address on Long Island's South Shore.
Neighborhood Character
- Spacious Colonials and expanded ranches
- Generously wooded lots
- Premium pricing — among Merrick's highest
Wenshaw Park
Traditional cape homes with underground power lines and curved streets creating a "park-like feel."
Wenshaw Park represents thoughtful 1950s suburban planning at its best. The neighborhood's 217 North Merrick families enjoy underground power lines (no utility poles!), strategic tree placement, and gently curved streets that create an intimate, park-like atmosphere rare on Long Island.
The Wenshaw Park Civic Association, established in 1958, remains active—a testament to the community's enduring sense of neighborhood pride. The charming traditional cape homes, well-maintained properties, and proximity to downtown Merrick make this a perennial favorite for families.
Neighborhood Character
- Underground power lines — no utility poles
- Curved streets — creating park-like feel
- Active civic association — since 1958
The Waterfront
Canal-front estates with private docks—minutes from the Great South Bay.
South Merrick's waterfront represents Long Island's bayfront lifestyle at its finest. Lavish homes line canals with 70 feet of bulkhead and private docks, offering deep-water access minutes from the open bay.
This is one of America's wealthiest neighborhoods—with a 0.0% childhood poverty rate and median home prices exceeding $1 million. Residents wake to water views and boat traffic rather than lawn mowers. AcQua Restaurant and the Boat House serve the nautical crowd, while the Blue Water Yacht Club provides slips for those who call the water home.
Norman J. Levy Park
A mountain made from garbage—now 52 acres of trails, fishing, and the highest point on the South Shore.
For decades, this was Merrick's eyesore: a landfill that rose like an artificial hill from the flat South Shore landscape. Then Nassau County transformed it into something remarkable—a 52-acre preserve with 3 miles of nature trails, a 500-foot fishing pier into Merrick Bay, a kayak launch on Meadow Brook, and stunning views from the highest point on Long Island's South Shore.
Nigerian dwarf goats roam the grounds, controlling brush the natural way. Birdwatchers come for the nesting colonies. Families come for the trails and open space. It's proof that even garbage can become something beautiful.
What to Do Here
- Hike 3 miles of nature trails
- Fish from the 500-foot pier
- Launch kayaks on Meadow Brook
- Watch the Nigerian dwarf goats
- Climb to the summit — highest point on South Shore
Briarcliff Manor
A cozy enclave of brick cape homes west of Merrick Avenue.
Tucked off Henry Road on the west side of Merrick Avenue, Briarcliff Manor is pure mid-century suburban charm: brick cape homes on quiet streets, families who've known each other for generations, and the kind of tree-shaded tranquility that defines Long Island's appeal.
The neighborhood's high homeownership rate (98%) and stable demographics speak to its character—people move here and stay. Average income runs around $133,000, and the average resident is 54—suggesting this is where Merrick's empty-nesters choose to age in place.
The Flower Section
Sweet cape homes on streets named for flowers—Larkspur, Azalea, and more.
You'll know you've found the Flower Section when street signs start reading like a garden catalog: Larkspur Avenue, Azalea Road, Dahlia Lane. This cheerful neighborhood of traditional cape-style homes represents post-war suburban development at its most optimistic—families buying their first homes on streets named for beauty rather than developers.
The modest but well-maintained capes remain popular with first-time buyers and young families, offering an affordable entry point into Merrick's school districts.
The Crest
Saltbox colonials in Merrick's northern reaches.
In the northern section of Merrick, The Crest development brought a distinctive architectural style to Long Island: the saltbox colonial, with its characteristic asymmetrical roofline sloping down in the rear. These post-war homes offered a touch of New England character to buyers seeking something different from the ubiquitous cape cod.
Today, The Crest remains a quiet residential neighborhood—close to the Southern State Parkway for commuters, but removed from Merrick's commercial bustle.
Merrick Oaks
The walkable neighborhood—steps from the LIRR station.
In real estate, they say the three most important factors are location, location, location. Merrick Oaks has it: positioned within easy walking distance of the Merrick LIRR station, this neighborhood offers the commuter's dream—no parking hassles, no driving in bad weather, just a short stroll to the platform.
The recent naming of this area reflects its growing identity as Merrick's transit-oriented neighborhood, attractive to professionals who value the 40-minute train ride to Manhattan.
More Merrick Neighborhoods
Merrick contains even more distinct areas, each with its own character:
The Lea Section
Split-level heaven—the neighborhood that defined 1960s suburban ambition. Multi-level homes with separated living spaces and built-in garages.
Merrick Manor
Where suburban meets eclectic—a neighborhood of architectural variety. Ranches next to colonials, splits beside capes.
Merrick Estates
Sophisticated and exclusive, featuring upscale homes with meticulously landscaped properties south of the duck pond.
North Merrick
A separate hamlet with its own identity and school district. More residential feel, popular with families.