Petition Started to Reopen Roberto Clemente Park

A local resident recently started a petition for the Town of Islip officials to reopen a Brentwood park that was shut down after it was discovered that garbage had been illegally dumped in the park in 2014.

The petition, which was created by Herbie Medina on Change.org, calls for the reopening of Roberto Clemente Park.

The park was shut down after it was discovered that town officials were allegedly illegally dumping construction debris. During the eight-month investigation, dangerous toxins, including Colbalt, Dieldrin and Asbestos,were found at the park.

A total of six officials were charged with several different crimes including: conspiracy, two counts of official misconduct, three charges of reckless release of an acutely hazardous substance into the environment, two counts third and fourth degree endangering, and one count of operating an illegal solid waste management facility that causes the release of more than 70 cubic yards of solid waste into the environment, according to the DA.

According to the petition, about a year and a half ago, the Town of Islip, in partnership with Roberto Clemente Jr. claimed that the town was "going to make sure the park was reopened soon" and be the "best park in the town."

However, there are currently still signs at the park posted that read "active clean up site."

"Every time my family passes we do not see any activity or progress in this so called clean up and renovation," Medina wrote on the petition. "From the basketball courts, baseball fields, the pools, trails, and hills for sledding in the snow, Roberto Clemente a.k.a. Timberline Park holds many memories for all of our families and friends."

The petition, addressed to parks commissioner Thomas Owen, Councilman John Cochrane Jr., Councilman Steve Flotteron, Councilwoman Trish Bergin Weichbrodt and Supervisor Angie Carpenter.

The goal is to reach 1,000 signatures. As of Monday afternoon, there were a total of 692 signatures.

Photo: Screenshot/Change.org