Town and Village Prep Parks for Stepped-Up Summer Use

Nice weather is bound to show up one of these days, and when it does the is determined to be ready.

After all, the parks of Northport — which include , , , , , as well as several pocket parks including Soper Avenue and James Street — are used extensively by both residents and non-residents alike for concerts, arts events, picnicking, barbecuing and more.

The staff, led by Senior Groundskeeper Billy Forster —overseen by the Highway Department led by Foreman TIm Drew — has been planting, painting, trimming and building.

Dinghy racks have been both relocated and added at Scudder and Steers beaches and a rotted seesaw was noted and a repair requested from the highway department.

They staff has even changed at least one light bulb and it was a very important one. That which shines on the American flag atop the pole in Village Park. 

Forster borrowed a ladder truck from the  to untangle the Prisoners of War/MIA flag that is also on the pole along with the New York State flag when he noticed the spotlight was out and he decided to take advantage of the machinery present. Drew operated the truck. Both are volunteer members of the department. 

"It's protocol to have a light shining on the American flag at night, so we wanted to get a new one in there," Forster said. 

Incidentally, those interested in a dinghy float space in Northport Village, should submit a request to Village Clerk Donna Koch in care of before Thursday, April 28. If more applications are received than slots available, a lottery selection will be made.

Village Trustee Damon McMullen serves as Commissioner of Parks for the village and said that the department wants to focus on improving Scudder Park even further when work at the main park is completed. The bathrooms at that park were upgraded in 2007 but McMullen said a comprehensive landscaping plan is in order.

Using funds from Muriel Gottesman, the sister of former Village Trustee Arlene Handel, village parks bathrooms have gotten a serious upgrade with new tile, sinks and doors. The veranda atop the bathrooms is getting new posts, decking and fencing, as well. Mrs. Gottelsman covered the costs to renovate the Northport gazebo several years ago as well.

The is improving its Northport beaches as well. They include and  on Eaton's Neck. 

The roof of the building is being repaired. The new skate park at has opened for the season and the town Parks and Recreation Department, headed by Don McKay, recently obtained new online software to sign up for camps and classes at town parks and even book online tee-off times.

For dinghy space and launch or mooring permits in the Town of Huntington, contact the