Paddleboarder drowns in Hempstead Lake; kids survive By FOX 5 NY Staff Published article An area of Hempstead Lake State Park in the Town of Hempstead, N.Y. (FOX 5 NY File Photo/Arun Kristian Das) HEMPSTEAD LAKE STATE PARK, N.Y. - A new York City man who was boating with his kids on a lake in Nassau County drowned on Sunday evening, police said. Jing Li, 39, of Flushing, Queens, and his two young children were on a paddleboard on Hempstead Lake when the board capsized at about 5:45 p.m., according to the New York State Police. Li went under the surface of the water, police said.