Town of Southampton Awarded $943,000 in Grant Funding For Good Ground Park

The Town of Southampton announced the town received two grant awards totaling $943,000 to further the development and implementation of Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the recipients of the 2014 Regional Economic Development Grant Awards on Thursday, Dec. 11.

The annual awards are based on competitive grant applications from 10 economic regions throughout the state.

The town was awarded a grant of $500,000 through NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department, which will be utilized to further subsidize the hamlet’s downtown revitalization as well as the construction and development of the amphitheater, site preparation and landscaping for the park.

A second grant award of $443,000 through The Empire State Development Office will support the downtown revitalization efforts associated with the development of Good Ground Park.

“We are thrilled that the Town has secured these two highly competitive awards to begin construction of Good Ground Park.” Jennifer Mesiano Higham, the grant writer hired by the Town to assist the Town in preparing the grant application, said. “This success owes entirely to the extraordinary teamwork among elected officials, town staff and the community that went into crafting these proposals.”

The grant announcements described Good Ground Park as a “key element in an ongoing downtown revitalization effort and is envisioned as the downtown anchor that will increase economic activity and livability within the central business district.”

”Good Ground Park is one step closer to becoming a reality due to the Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Town Board’s consistent work and support over the last 18 months.” Kevin McDonald, Hampton Bays said. “This park, when finished, will transform the hamlet in great ways. What a terrific holiday surprise for the community.”

“I am thrilled that Hampton Bays is one giant step closer to fulfilling its dream of having a park in its hamlet center. The land was purchased over a decade ago but it was the current Town Board and others who finally saw to it that this plan did not languish. Marion Boden, member of the Hampton Bays Civic Association said. “Good Ground Park will add to the vitality of our hamlet and its businesses, and bring great joy to citizens throughout the town, especially with its beautiful amphitheater.”

Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst added, “The community support for this project has been tireless and long standing. It is indeed an exciting day to see that level of community support rewarded by these grant awards.”

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