Good Ground Park Now Open In Hampton Bays, Free Concerts Slated

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A new day dawned in Hampton Bays recently with the opening on June 10 of Good Ground Park.

The official opening on Saturday was marked with performances by the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center’s Teen Repertory Company, children’s musician Darlene Graham and face painting.

Following that evening was concert by the Darren Ottati Band entitled The Best of Broadway,” followed by an awards ceremony before hundreds gathered to mark the day.

Elected officials spoke to the efforts involved in the park's creation; those scheduled to speak included Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey and Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman.

The park, Schneiderman said, has been many years in the making and symbolizes a dream realized by the community, including Hampton Bays resident and civic association member Marion Boden, who was honored with a proclamation by the Southampton town board for her tireless efforts.

The 36-acre property was purchased from the Rosko family in 2003 for $3.5 million; Community Preservation Fund monies were utilized for the purchase.

In addition, New York State awarded the Town of Southampton $2 million in funding to help build the park. Construction began in 2015.

As it stands Phase 1 is now completed; Phase 2 will include the construction of a permanent comfort station, a children’s playground for 5 to 10 year olds and finally, a walking and bike trail around the park.

The park, sited north of Main Street, has long been seen as a potential catalyst for the downtown Hampton Bays business district.

Visitors can access the park by car from Squiretown Road; the facility features parking for more than 100 vehicles. In addition, pedestrian access is available through Vincent J. Cannuscio Trail; a new walking entrance is planned from Montauk Highway in the coming months.

Free concerts

To mark the season, several free concerts are planned this summer, including Randy Jackson on July 21, The Nancy Atlas Project on July 30, Disco Under the Stars on August 11, Mambo Loco on August 20 and the Lone Sharks on August 24.

“We are pleased to offer these free concerts to bring the community together for some great entertainment,” Schneiderman said. “We hope that everyone sees what Hampton Bays has to offer, from the beach to Main Street and the new park.”