Community Corner

🌱 Will Bethpage’s beloved skate park return after the toxic cleanup?

And on the Bethpage Patch calendar - Harmony Hangout

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Thursday September 3rd Patch AM
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Hey hey Bethpage! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Bethpage's beloved skate park return after the toxic cleanup?
  • New Bethpage center expands opportunities for adults with disabilities
  • Why were so many police officers at Bethpage's JFK Middle School?

Also on today's calendar: Harmony Hangout and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 85 and low of 72 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 87, low: 66. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Roller skaters push to reopen Bethpage skate park (newsday.com) — Bethpage skaters are pressing Oyster Bay officials to guarantee a skate park in the redesigned Bethpage Community Park, which has been closed for environmental cleanup since early 2024. Residents say the Bethpage skate park was a vital gathering place and fear it may not return, while town leaders focus on negotiations with Northrop Grumman to fund a fully remediated new park.
   

2. EPIC Long Island expands to Bethpage, grows its Walls initiative (longislandpress.com) — Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Bethpage now have a new local option for community-based programs, as EPIC Long Island has opened a facility on Grumman Road West. The site expands the Program Without Walls, offering job and skills training, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships like Smile Farms, which organizers say are already transforming participants' confidence and independence.
   

3. Nassau County police kick off school year with surprise visit for students (abc7ny.com) — Bethpage families saw a big police presence at JFK Middle School as Nassau County officers stopped by to welcome students back and strengthen relationships with kids, parents, and staff. Police say they'll keep visiting buildings, running safety checks, and using emergency tools like the RAVE app throughout the year, while urging drivers to be extra cautious around Bethpage schools.
   

4. Men's Cross Country Enters 2026 With Experience, Depth and Plenty of Potential (cornellbigred.com) — Cornell's men's cross country team will open its season this Friday at the Panthers XC Invite in Bethpage, bringing a deep, veteran roster to a local course. For Bethpage residents, it means a collegiate-level meet happening right in town, with runners using the race to test themselves before bigger Ivy League and national competitions later this fall.
   

5. Long Island parks add tools for nonverbal communication (newsday.com) — A Bethpage-based nonprofit, Rocco's Voice for Autism, is installing communication boards in parks and schools across Long Island to help nonverbal children and adults express their needs and feelings. Recent installations in North Hempstead and Port Washington show how the Bethpage group's idea is spreading, making playgrounds more inclusive for families who rely on visual communication tools.
   

📸 Around Bethpage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethpage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Thursday September 3
  • Gardiners Avenue Back-to-School Night
    Jonas E Salk Middle School Levittown, NY 11756
    6:30 pm
  • Northside Back-to-School Night
    Jonas E Salk Middle School Levittown, NY 11756
    6:30 pm
    • Friday September 4
  • DAHS Fall Drivers Ed
    Levittown UFSD Levittown, NY 11756
    2:30 pm
  • DAHS JV Volleyball Practice
    Levittown UFSD Levittown, NY 11756
    2:30 pm
  • DAHS Kickline Practice
    Levittown UFSD Levittown, NY 11756
    2:30 pm
  • DAHS Varsity Volleyball Practice
    Levittown UFSD Levittown, NY 11756
    4:30 pm
  • Boys Varsity Soccer Game Vs. Levittown Division HS
    Bethpage Union Free School District Division Avenue High School, 120 Division Ave, Levittown, NY 11
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday September 19
  • Massapequa Kiwanis 14th Annual Bocce BBQ Fundraiser →
    Kiwanis Log Cabin, John J. Burns Park, 4990 Merrick Rd, Massapequa, NY, 11758
    10:00 am
  • Our Distinguished Citizen Dinner Honoring Robert "Bobby Hulse" →
    Captain Bills Restaurant & Catering, 122 Ocean Ave, Bay Shore
    6:00 pm

📣 Bethpage Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Public Storage posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager in Bethpage. Apply here.
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in Levittown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethpage here.

Ok Bethpage! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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