The Patchogue Village Recreation and Parks
Department is proud to announce the formation of "Friends of Shorefront
Park". Shorefront Park, a continuous 7 acre stretch of Village parkland
on the Great South Bay, has been the source of waterfront recreation
from the seaside resort hotels of the 1800's to Patchogue Beach and
Sailing Club of today. Many Patchogue residents remember the Banjo
Society Concerts at the bandshell and the Aqua show at the municipal
pool. Volunteers from various service organizations in the village have
donated hundreds of hours of time to improve the activities at
Shorefront Park.
The Mayor and Board of Trustees, recognizing the
importance of Shorefront Park to our community, voted to approve a
resolution brought to the Board by Parks & Recreation Director Maria
Hendrickson to develop a committee to centralize the individual groups
formed to improve the parkland and its usefulness to the village
residents.
Maria Hendrickson recently attended a three day
conference hosted by the KaBoom University of Play, will chair this
committee. Her goal is to build a great play space to promote the
importance of play and play spaces through out our village. In order to
achieve this goal she intends to develop an accessible playground that
will allow children with disabilities to play side by side with their
able bodied peers, creating a truly integrated environment where
compassion and acceptance can flourish.
With the support of involved parents, school officials,
non-profit program planners, service organization staff, and
representatives of community-minded businesses we can make this
playground a reality. "Play is important for EVERY child, and children
should not be deprived of play because of barriers in the playground
environment."
Additional Sub-Committees will address the restoration
of the Park itself, the preservation of the pond and marshland including
all plant, fish, bird and animal species, and the "Friends of the
Winona" a group formed to promote our new Community and Garden Center in
the Northeast corner of Shorefront Park. If you are interested in being
part of this fantastic revival of Shorefront Park please call the Parks
& Recreation office at 475-4302.
For more information on upcoming events see our website www.friendsofshorefrontpark.org