PRESS RELEASE: June 13, 2017
Contact: Supervisor’s office
(631) 283-6055 Connie Conway
Good Ground Park officially opened on Saturday, June 10th to great applause. In the morning, Children were treated to a performance by the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center’s Teen Repertory Company, Children’s musician Darlene Graham and face painting. In the evening a concert by the Darren Ottati Band entitled "The Best of Broadway” followed an awards ceremony that included remarks from several elected officials including Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone, State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey and Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. Mr. Schneiderman told the several hundred people gathered for the event that the Park has been many years in the making and is the dream long realized by several community members, including Marion Boden. She was given a proclamation by the Town Board for her hard work bringing her dream to fruition.
The 36 acre property was purchased from the Rosko Family in 2003 by the Community Preservation Fund for $3.5 million. The State of New York awarded the Town of Southampton $2-million in funding to help build the park. Construction began in 2015.
Phase one is now completed. Phase two will include the construction of a permanent comfort station, a children’s playground for 5 to 10 year olds and eventually a walking and bike trail around the park.
Good Ground Park sits north of Main Street and is expected to become a catalyst for the business district in Hampton Bays. Vehicles can access the park from Squiretown Road. There is parking for more than 100 vehicles. Pedestrian access is from Montauk Highway through the Cannuscio Trail. Another walking entrance is planned from Montauk Highway across from the Fire Department.
Several concerts are planned for the summer including Randy Jackson July 21st, The Nancy Atlas Project July 30th, Disco under the stars August 11th, Mambo Loco August 20th and the Lone Sharks on August 24th.
“We are pleased to offer these free concerts to bring the community together for some great entertainment,” said Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. “We hope that everyone sees what Hampton Bays has to offer, from the beach to Main Street and the new Park.”
FREE SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE