Summer fun kicks off at Wantagh Park Pool

As Long Island residents enjoyed Wantagh Pool last week, they looked forward to activities they’re excited for this summer.

Kids spoke about how they love the giant slide and sprinkler pool at Wantagh Park, while parents said they just love hanging out by the water and enjoying the scenery.

“When our kids were little we used to come out here all the time,” said Mary Brunjes, 45, of Wantagh, as she sat on a park bench outside the pool with her husband. “We just started coming back recently and remembered how much we love it.”

Some spoke about how they plan on staying local this summer.

“This summer I’m not going away,” said Phil Cain, 54, of Wantagh. “I plan on going to the beach on weekends, taking walks in the park, that sort of thing.”

Other park goers shared similar plans.

“I’m teaching summer school, but other than that I just want to do this,” said Cassandra Antonucci, 26, of Bellmore, as she gestured towards a picnic she had laid out in the grass behind the pool.

“I plan on doing a lot more fishing,” Tim Gilbert, 29, of Bellmore, added.

Not everyone will be staying on Long Island for the entire summer.

“Towards the end of the summer we are going to North Carolina,” Michael Scalere, 41, of Rockville Centre, said.

Whether or not they were going away, many stressed how they loved spending part of their summers in Wantagh.

“We’ve traveled everywhere and some of the nicest beaches are right here on Long Island,” said Brunjes.

Others said they just plan to enjoy the warmth after the harsh cold season Long Island endured.

“After the winter we’ve had, I just want to enjoy the most of the warm weather,” Scalere said.