$20K Donation For Park Made By St. James Chamber Of Commerce

Smithtown NY

14 July, 2021

2:23 PM

Description

ST. JAMES, NY — Town of Smithtown leaders on Monday accepted a $20,000 check from the St. James Chamber of Commerce, according to a news release. The funds will go toward the construction of the new Celebrate Park on Lake Avenue. The park is planned to complement the St. James Cultural and Arts District as a central performance space and village green. A new, off-street municipal lot would help drive economic revitalization and create a walkable downtown, town officials said. "The St. James Chamber of Commerce has been a leader in offering assistance to businesses and residents alike during the pandemic," Supervisor Ed Wehrheim stated via news release. "Now they are leading the charge in rebuilding our economy. On behalf of the town, I am truly humbled to accept this very generous donation towards constructing this beautiful new park. This funding will be most helpful in ensuring our success in constructing a spectacular gathering place for the community, which will undoubtedly boost foot traffic to the local shops along Lake Avenue." The park design and construction was made possible due to Celebrate St. James, Past - Present - Future; a not-for-profit arts organization. The group spearheaded fundraising efforts and solicited local Landscape Architect Bob Retnauer of RDA and Architect Michael Morbillo of Enspire Design Group to create plans for the park. In November 2020, Wehrheim and the town board joined with Celebrate St. James, as well as the St. James Chamber, Civic Association and members of the community, in a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction. In late summer 2020, the Town of Smithtown purchased the old Irish Viking lot on Lake Avenue in an intergovernmental contract with Suffolk County. The former pub has been completely demolished and leveled, and the Highway Department recently installed drainage infrastructure. Highway and construction crews are continuing to build the municipal parking area and foundation work for the park. Meanwhile, plans are underway to craft a new open space. The Planning Department and community development coordinator has met regularly with Retnauer and Morbillo to coordinate the park's construction. "These St. James residents have volunteered their craft and time to design what will undoubtedly be a beautiful gathering place for Town of Smithtown residents," the town stated. Design plans for Celebrate Park can be found here.