Officials Secure $500K Grant To Turn 'Roe Park' Into Actual Park

BLUE POINT, NY - Local officials announced that they have received a $500,000 grant to build a park in Blue Point.

The funding was awarded to construct a park at the site of the former Blue Point Laundry site on Park Street, a.k.a. Roe Park.

The 2-acre piece of land was considered a contaminated state after being used as a laundry and dry cleaner, an auto garage, and a lumber storage area.

Suffolk County acquired the land in 1998 and has been working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to remediate the site.

Finally after all those years, officials are working to turn it into an actual park.

Last week Senator Monica R. Martinez announced she secured $500,000 in State and Municipal Facilities (SAM) Grant funding.

The money was provided through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York State (DASNY), for the Roe Park project. This will mean the State will be partnering with Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven on the project.

Martinez, along with Suffolk County Legislator Rob Calarco and Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Foley, say they are determined to work with local community members and stakeholders to make sure that the new park meets the neighborhood's character and needs.

"This site has been an eyesore in the neighborhood for decades and it is time that we banned together to transform this location," Martinez said. I want to thank Legislator Rob Calarco for his fierce and steadfast advocacy for this funding. He knows first hand the intimate details surrounding this project, and although it has been a lengthy process he has not been dissuaded."