Long Island Game Farm Receives $568K Grant From Suffolk County

MANORVILLE, NY —The Long Island Game Farm just received a major boost toward its future: The facility received a $568,000 grant from Suffolk County as part of the JumpSMART Small Business Downtown Investment Program, representatives said.

The county grant provides funding to support downtown growth and to help local businesses and institutions to remain economically competitive.

The game farm will use the funds to create a universal access trail and renovate the amphitheater to expand programs and offerings, officials said.

"I am sincerely grateful for the generous support from Suffolk County and JumpSMART program awarded to the Long Island Game Farm," Melinda Novak, president of the game farm, said. "This grant will enable us to renovate our amphitheater and develop a universal access trail, which has been a long-time dream for us to be able to share with all members of our community. This expansion coincides with the efforts of our new nonprofit arm, the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, as it develops programs in the cultural, educational, and wellness categories. Knowing Suffolk County believes in us gives us great hope for our future aspirations as the Long Island Game Farm continues to grow."

Now-former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Legislator James Mazzarella, Legislator Nick Caracappa, and Legislator minority leader Jason Richberg visited the game farm on December 15 to present the check to Novak, Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability Tricia Snyder, game farm staff, and two of the resident goats, a release said.

Many of those in attendance agreed that the game farm is an iconic piece of Long Island’s history, dating back to 1970, and have fond memories of visiting in their childhood, representatives said.

The game farm was rocked by tragedy when Bobo, a beloved giraffe, died suddenly in October.