South Merrick residents speak out during walkthrough

Members of the South Merrick Community Civic Association recently strolled along Merrick Road on a sunny Wednesday afternoon as part of the association’s Merrick Road Improvement Committee walkthrough.

The walk’s purpose was to pinpoint streets and sidewalks that might require improvement. Merrick Road, where one of Merrick’s larger business districts is located, is county-owned. The sidewalks, though, are controlled by the Town of Hempstead.

Joe Baker, president of the SMCCA — which holds its regular meetings at the Merrick Road Golf Course Clubhouse, just off Merrick Road — led the walk. Also present was Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, Merrick Chamber of Commerce President Randy Shotland, county and town representatives, and several south Merrick residents.

The Merrick Road business district that starts at the Waldbaum’s shopping center and ends at Babylon Turnpike underwent a county revitalization within the past three years that included paved sidewalks, plantings and new lampposts, Denenberg said. Association members, however, said the road and surrounding areas still need improvement.

Some residents requested a more distinguished “Welcome to Merrick” sign, to be placed at the intersection of Merrick and Clubhouse roads, where eastbound drivers enter Merrick. “There are beautiful communities with signs that are done in an attractive way,” said south Merrick resident Jennifer Schlesinger, head of the association’s improvement committee.

The median where a county sewage pumping station is located, at the same site, was also an area of focus, and Denenberg acknowledged that some improvements could be made to it. “I’m going to want to see the county maintain that better,” Denenberg said. “Planting arborvitae is perhaps something we can do. We do want to keep it as a serene green space that enhances the look.”

Brian Schneider, deputy commissioner of county’s Department of Public Works, said that while he would keep Merrick Road plantings “on his radar,” he said that funding is “tight.”