Babylon, NY - April 27, 2016 - The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation-Long Island Region is pleased to announce that Hempstead Lake State Park will be hosting the Open Tennis Tournament along with Natural Heritage Trust and The Tribune for the 2016 summer season.

This year’s program will run from Friday, July 1 through Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 4-8pm. Registration will begin on May 1 and continue until June 30 or until the 384 maximum participants is reached. Applications can be submitted in person at the Park Office in Field 2 at Hempstead Lake State Park daily or by mail to: Tennis Tournament, Hempstead Lake State Park, P. O. Box 66, West Hempstead, NY 11552. Applications are available at the park or can be downloaded here.

The tournament is open to all ages and ability levels. All entries must be made using the official entry form and be submitted with payment and a signed mandatory release form. Checks should be made payable to the Natural Heritage Trust-Long Island. The fees are $12 for singles and $15 for doubles teams. The entry fee also entitles the participant to a tournament t-shirt. Sizes are guaranteed forthose who apply before June 15, 2016.

Trophies will be given to the first place and second place finishers in the following divisions: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. USLTA approved balls must be supplied by the participants.

For further information, please contact Hempstead Lake State Park at 516-766-1029.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 65 million people  annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.