University Gardens, New York

University Gardens (also known as Lakeville and Little Neck, Nassau County) is a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is located within the Town of North Hempstead and is part of the Greater Great Neck area. The population was 4,358 at the time of the 2020 census.

The University Gardens CDP includes the University Gardens subdivision and the other unincorporated areas between it and the Nassau/Queens line, including Great Neck Terrace.

History
Much of the land which is now located within the University Gardens CDP was once farmland. Suburban development in the community started to take off in the early 20th century. This includes development in and of the Little Neck Park, University Gardens, and Waverly Hills sections; at the time, the hamlet was known as Lakeville and Little Neck, Nassau County.

The University Gardens development (for which the hamlet and CDP is named) was developed in the late 1920s. It includes 218 homes and 17 commercial properties.

In the 1940s, large portions of the Waverly Hills section of the hamlet were developed with homes designed by architect H.C. Meyer.

In the 1950s, the 652-family Great Neck Terrace garden apartment complex within the hamlet was constructed. Located at the northwestern corner of the hamlet, the complex's 28 garden apartment buildings were designed by architect Samuel Paul.

Etymology
The name of the University Gardens CDP is taken from a planned community of the same name, which was constructed within the hamlet in the 1920s. The name reflects the fact that the land which that subdivision is located on was purchased from (and built atop) the short-lived University Golf Club – and because Russell Gardens, located across Northern Boulevard, was being developed around the same time. As such, the "University" part of its name comes from the golf club and the "Gardens" part of its name comes from Russell Gardens.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

Census 2000
As of Census 2000, there were 4,138 people, 1,660 households, and 1,160 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7,007.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,696 housing units at an average density of 2,871.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 80.67% White, 2.39% African American, 0.12% Native American, 13.29% Asian, 1.98% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.59% of the population.

There were 1,660 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $74,637, and the median income for a family was $90,511. Males had a median income of $61,207 versus $42,308 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,643. About 2.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 Census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,058 people, 1,559 households, and 1,106 families within the CDP. The racial makeup of the CDP was 76.7% White, 3.0% African American, 0.0% Native American, 20.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

Town representation
As University Gardens is an unincorporated hamlet, it has no government of its own, and is instead governed directly by the Town of North Hempstead in Manhasset.

University Gardens is located in the Town of North Hempstead's 5th council district, which as of July 2023 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by David A. Adhami (R–Great Neck).

Nassau County representation
University Gardens is located in Nassau County's 10th Legislative district, which as of July 2023 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Mazi Melesa Pilip (R–Great Neck).

New York State Assembly
University Gardens is located in the New York State Assembly's 16th State Assembly district, which as of July 2023 is represented in the New York State Assembly by Gina L. Sillitti (D–Manorhaven).

New York State Senate
University Gardens is located in the New York State Senate's 7th State Senate district, which as of July 2023 is represented in the New York State Senate by Jack M. Martins (R–Old Westbury).

United States Congress
University Gardens is located in New York's 3rd congressional district, which as of July 2023 is represented in the United States Congress by George A. Santos (R).

United States Senate
Like the rest of New York, University Gardens is represented in the United States Senate by Charles Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

Politics
In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of University Gardens voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).

Parks and recreation
The Great Neck Park District, which the hamlet is entirely within the boundaries of, also maintains three parks within the hamlet: Cutter Mill Park (located off Great Neck Road), Lakeville Park (located at the northern end of Concord Avenue at Pembroke Avenue), and Upland Park (located on the east side of Soundview Drive between Bates and Upland Roads).

School district
University Gardens is located entirely within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Great Neck Union Free School District. As such, all children who reside within University Gardens and attend public schools go to Great Neck's schools.

Elementary
For elementary education, the majority of University Gardens is zoned for Lakeville Elementary School – excepting the Great Neck Terrace section, which is zoned for Saddle Rock Elementary School. As such, all children who reside within University Gardens and attend Great Neck's elementary schools go to one of these two elementary schools, depending on where they reside within the hamlet.

Secondary
For secondary education, the majority of University Gardens is zoned for Great Neck South Middle School and Great Neck South High School – excepting the Great Neck Terrace section, which is in the district's "Optional Zone"; students residing in this zone can choose whether to attend South Middle School & South High School or North Middle School & North High School for their secondary education.

Library district
University Gardens is located within the boundaries of the Great Neck Library District, which is served by the Great Neck Public Library.

Furthermore, the Lakeville Branch of the Great Neck Public Library is located within University Gardens, on Great Neck Road.

Road
Northern Boulevard (New York State Route 25A) passes through the hamlet and forms part of its northern boundary.

Other major roads within the hamlet include Bates Road (CR C06), Concord Avenue, Great Neck Road (CR D01), Horrace Harding Boulevard, Merrivale Road, Middle Neck Road (CR 11), and Nassau Boulevard.

Rail
Although the Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington Branch passes through University Gardens and forms part of its northwestern boundary, there are no stations located within the hamlet. The nearest Long Island Rail Road stations to University Gardens are Great Neck and Little Neck.

Bus
The n20G bus route travels along Northern Boulevard and Middle Neck Road through University Gardens, while the n20h, n21, n25, and n26 bus routes run through a small section of the northwestern portion of the hamlet, along Middle Neck Road. All five of these bus routes are operated by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE).

Natural gas
National Grid USA provides natural gas to homes and businesses that are hooked up to natural gas lines in University Gardens.

Power
PSEG Long Island provides power to all homes and businesses within University Gardens.

Sewage
University Gardens is connected to sanitary sewers. These sewers are operated by the Belgrave Sewer District, which the hamlet is entirety, is located within the boundaries of.

Water
University Gardens is located entirely within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Manhasset–Lakeville Water District.

University Gardens subdivision
The University Gardens subdivision – the development for which the University Gardens CDP is named – is a distinct community founded in 1927. Built on the site of the former University Golf Club, the subdivision operates under a set of covenants recorded with its 218 homes and 17 commercial properties under the auspices of the University Gardens Property Owners Association, Inc.; it is located in the northeastern portion of the CDP.

The University Gardens Property Owners Association owns and maintains a neighborhood club on Sussex Road within the University Gardens subdivision, called the University Gardens Pool & Tennis Club. It is open exclusively to residents of the subdivision and their guests.