Babylon Beautification Society Unveils Railroad Project

BABYLON, NY — After two long years in the making, the Railroad Area Beautification Project in Babylon Village was completed recently. The project, which the Babylon Beautification Society has been working on since 2018, was started to improve the plot of land located on Depot Place near the Babylon LIRR station.

A special ceremony to unveil the project was held on Sept. 13, which was the date that the popular Annual Fair was supposed to be scheduled.

"It’s also very fitting that we are holding this short ceremony today. As we all know, our annual fair was scheduled for today." Babylon Beautification Society President Frank Petruzzo said during the event. "The fair is a Babylon tradition where tens of thousands of people visit our village and we get to share our wonderful community with them. Hundreds of people volunteer, residents, village groups, all working alongside village officials and crews to make the fair happen. So, this year while we can’t have the fair, we can still celebrate that same spirit of community and volunteerism with the dedication of this sign."

At the ceremony, Petruzzo also spoke on the local projects that the group does around the village including planting trees, adding planters and hanging baskets in the area and decorating the lampposts each holiday season.

The Railroad Area Beautification Project is the latest completed project conducted by the group, which consisted of adding fencing to the area as well as new trees, shrubs and sod. Two new lampposts were also installed as well as red brick alongside the curb and grass area. In addition, a new sign was installed welcoming people to the village.

"Along with village officials, we wanted to create a space that was beautiful and welcoming to those who visit this area of our village," Petruzzo said during the event. "Through many fund-raising events and community support the BBS was able to fully fund this project."

Babylon Beautification Society members Chris Genzmann, Kathy Maloney, and Mary Adams helped made the project a reality along with support from Mayor Ralph Scordino, Skip Gardner and Scott Glenn.

"We hope all who visit here experience how truly special our village is," Petruzzo said.

All photos courtesy of the Village of Babylon