During the early years when Massaepqua was known as South Oyster Bay, the westerly portion of Nassau Shores, John J. Burns park and all of Bar Harbor were owned by the Massapequa's founding family, Floyd-Jones,

From the late 1800s to 1927, Herman C. Meyer and his three sons Herman and twins, Henry and John, were tenant farmers on the land known then as The Fort Neck Farm. The Meyers raised livestock, poultry and sold eggs to neighbors. Wheat, corn, pickles, potatoes and green vegetables were raised on the fertile land. The two-story farm house and barns were located near to Williams Road and Harbor Lane in Bar Harbor. During the summer months surrounding farmers would bring their milking cows to the farm to graze on the rich green grass. In exchange for the pasture use, the Meyers milked the cows and delivered the milk by horse and wagon to families that lived along Merrick Road. On the weekends, the Meyer boys used their horse and buggy to bring visitors to and from the Massapequa Hotel and the railroad station.

In the early 1960s the Town of Oyster Bay acquired the 52 acres to develop a sports venue providing space for all sports, concerts, fireworks and the Fred Stone Long Cabin including a launching ramp for local boaters.

Shown in the photo, boaters wait their turn to launch their boats at the John J. Burns Park recently. Photo by John H. Meyer.