Cover photo: Legislator Flotteron cuts the ribbon at the new playground at Gardiner County Park (Credit – Matt Meduri)
Gardiner County Park in West Bay Shore sits on the Great South Bay, just off the Robert Moses Causeway – the lifeline to Fire Island – and serves as the destination for the annual Suffolk County Marathon. Naturally, Gardiner Park is hot on many Suffolk residents’ radars.
But the playground there left much to be desired, so much so that elected officials, agencies, and community members formed a steering committee to gain input on what the new playground should include, namely as it relates to accessibility and inclusivity features pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The previous park, which stood for over thirty years, was known to cause injuries to children and had razor-sharp features from the aged splitting metal.
The committee kicked off in earnest last summer, with pitches from vendors and input from parents and residents of the area. Spearheaded by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), the park formally opened on Monday afternoon.
For the 231-acre nature-oriented public park, Flotteron was able to secure $650,000 from the County’s Capital Budget to bring the project to fruition. American Recreational Products (ARP) was the primary planner in the equipment, consulting with stakeholders and community members on how to get the most bang for their buck.
The park’s new “earth tone” colors are said to create a “calm, modern feeling” while certain play places within the equipment use brighter color palettes to stimulate senses and keep children of all ages and abilities engaged.
The ribbon-cutting was certainly not missed, as local children were already putting the new equipment to the test.
Gardiner Park is also a historic site and the namesake of one of Suffolk’s founding families, the Gardiners. One of the earliest settling dynasties on the Island, the Gardiner family owned the prominent Sagtikos Manor, just around the corner from Gardiner Park, as well as the land on which the park sits today. The Manor even served as a local headquarters for British forces during the American Revolution. The Gardiner family also owned Gardiner’s Island – just north of the Town of East Hampton – until the death of Robert David Lion Gardiner in 2004.
Owing to the property’s history, Flotteron said that the land’s preservation status made it different from some other municipal parks, such as those with sports fields and other accommodations.
“It’s already taking off; it’s something that the families here have been needing and asking for,” Flotteron told The Messenger.
The passive park is equipped with accessibility modifications different from playgrounds of yesteryear, such as railings along ramps for assistance in walking up to the slide and a moveable platform for those confined to a wheelchair. Two different spinning rides, musical instrument fixtures, and an accessible swingset are ready to be used by children from infancy up until their early twenties. The park’s features are also tailored to children on the autism spectrum.
Flotteron also explained that the improvements hit a personal note for him.
“My sister was born with a lot of birth defects in her legs and she was in traction most of her childhood,” said Flotteron. “She’d be able to go on these swings and use this equipment here today.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) was also on hand to cut the ribbon and tease similar park improvements across Suffolk.
“Kids of all abilities, not just children with limited abilities, will be able to use these playgrounds, and our playgrounds should be geared to do exactly that,” said Romaine. “This is a park for everyone.”
Romaine said that another Suffolk park, Meschutt Beach County Park in Hampton Bays, is also receiving treatment similar to what Gardiner Park received.
“People with all different abilities will be able to play on all different levels,” said Flotteron, adding that the nearby gazebo will allow parents and guardians to catch shade and tend to infants while their children can play just nearby.
Many community members were involved on the steering committee that produced this park, including the Pediatrics Department of Good Samaritan University Hospital, the Bay Shore YMCA, the Bay Shore Union Free School District, and the EJ Autism Foundation.
Joining Flotteron and Romaine were Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) and Assemblyman Mike Durso (R-Massapequa Park), as well as representatives for Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport). Garbarino’s office presented the group with a folded American flag that previously flew from the top of the U.S. Capitol Building.
“Gardiner Park is a true treasure in Suffolk County; there’s so much that goes on here,” Donnelly told The Messenger. “You have access to the beach, we have the marathon here, and now adding this playground brings it to another level, particularly given that we’re able to help our special needs population. The kids have a very safe place to come and play.”
“Every kid can come here, play, and be a part of the community – fit in and feel good about what they’re doing with no restrictions,” Durso told The Messenger. Durso added that he and his Assembly colleagues are looking to pass the “Everyone Can Play” Grant Program pitched by Assemblyman Josh Jensen (R-Greece), which would unlock State appropriations to carry out accessibility and inclusivity upgrades to parks and playgrounds across the state.
“Any time a park gets redone or rebuilt, [the bill would require] that it has to be ADA-compliant,” said Durso. “Parks are to bring families together and we want kids to be able to come to these parks and enjoy them throughout the entire state.”
