Coming together for a south Merrick playground

For years, south Merrick residents have been working to build community support for a new playground in their neighborhood, hoping to have their children swinging and climbing on new swing sets and monkey bars. By the end of this year, that dream will be a reality.

The playground, which will be built on the field at the corner of Wynsum and Illona avenues, initially had strong support from locals despite some pushback from residents concerned about traffic and safety. But town officials and community members broke ground on the project last on Aug. 23.

“Kids used to call this the make-believe park,” said Joe Baker, president of the South Merrick Community Civic Association. “Not anymore. This will be a big plus for the kids in the community.”

Jay Rogoff and Shawn Field spearheaded the committee Let’s Play 11566, which was formed to build community support for the playground. Their efforts in going door to door and speaking with neighbors helped to quell fears and raise grass-roots support, and county and state funding.

The Hempstead Town Board met last October to vote to approve the use of $75,000 in Nassau County funding, which was secured by County Legislator Steve Rhoads and then Town Supervisor Anthony Santino. A majority of residents who spoke on the issue supported the project, while several others, who live near or around the property, raised safety concerns. Despite initial support, Santino put the proposal on hold at the meeting, saying that he would not sign an agreement between the town and county until there was a consensus among nearby residents.

At her first meeting as supervisor, Laura Gillen voted in favor of accepting the $75,000 from the county, and a majority of the board also voted for the measure. In addition, State Sen. John Brooks helped acquire $225,000 from the state, and Let’s Play 11566 raised $36,000 in donations. In total, the funds will cover equipment, installation, fencing and other playground features.

“The community really came together to get this done,” Field said. “Now, instead of driving a mile and a half to another park, locals can grab their strollers and walk to this one. It’s important to the physical and social development of our kids.”

According to Rogoff, the playground will be completed by the end of October. The final play area will be divided into two sections — one side for 2- to 5-year-olds and the other for 5- to 12-year-olds. The transformed park will have multiple slides, swings, climbers, spinners and other equipment for children to enjoy, with enough green space for older teenagers to use.

“This is an example of what true bipartisan cooperation on all levels of government looks like,” Gillen said at the groundbreaking. “Parks like this are incredible assets to our communities.”

“This was a lot more difficult than it should have been,” Rhoads said.

The playground is not the only visual change coming to the Wynsum Avenue park. Hempstead Parks Commissioner Daniel Lino helped Let’s Play 11566 plant colorful shrubbery and flowers at the two entrances and around the perimeter of the field. Rogoff and Field also collected funds from the community for custom-made bricks that will frame a garden.

Field and Rogoff, who are the fathers of three young children, said they look forward to having their children enjoy the park after their years-long battle to build community support. For the two, though, impacting the community is what is important.

“This started four years ago as a dream and going door to door for support,” Rogoff said. “There was definitely some opposition, but it’s finally become a reality.”