Saturday, November 8, 2025
It has been a fantastic year in the Village of Island Park — a time of growth, resilience and community spirit. From infrastructure upgrades to unforgettable summer events, our village has continued its remarkable renaissance. As mayor, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and the direction we’re heading together.
This summer, the village truly came alive. Masone Beach hosted some of our most successful summer concerts in recent memory, with residents and visitors enjoying music, sunshine and a strong sense of togetherness. Our beach season was one of the best in years, culminating in a signature tradition: the Labor Day fireworks celebration. This year’s event was among the most well-attended ever. Residents filled the beach, dancing to live music and enjoying a dazzling display over the bay — a fitting finale to a summer to remember.
September brought moments of reflection, as we gathered for our 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. It was a beautiful and moving tribute to those we lost, and a testament to Island Park’s enduring strength and unity.
We also took meaningful steps to protect the safety and integrity of our village. On June 26, the village board unanimously passed Local Law 4 of 2025 — a moratorium banning battery energy storage system facilities in Island Park. This pause allows us to conduct a thorough review of the potential hazards these projects pose.
Let me be clear: Island Park is not a testing ground for dangerous energy experiments. The safety of our residents will always be my top priority. With the full support of the board of trustees, we are committed to using every tool available to protect our environment, safety and quality of life.
Our revitalization efforts extended beyond village borders. I am proud to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Veterans Village, planned for the former Long Beach Motor Inn site on Austin Boulevard. While technically outside our village lines, this site is a gateway to Island Park. Its transformation from a longstanding nuisance into a place that honors our heroes will benefit the entire community.
Island Park also celebrated beloved traditions, including the San Gennaro Feast, hosted by Sacred Heart Church, and the Greek Festival, hosted by Panaghia Greek Orthodox Church. These vibrant gatherings were joyful celebrations of faith, culture and community spirit.
And of course, our focus on infrastructure remains as strong as ever. We’ve made critical improvements aimed at long-term resilience, including replacing tidal flex valves throughout the village to reduce flooding, reinforcing the shoreline on Jackson Place with upgraded gabions, and modernizing our emergency management facility at the Fire Department to support our first responders.
We’ve partnered with other levels of government to repave Long Beach Road and install a much-needed senior crosswalk at the Island Park Senior Building, increasing both safety and accessibility. The senior citizens’ parking lot was also repaved, making visits more convenient and secure for older residents.
One of our most impactful achievements this year came through persistent advocacy with National Grid. Rather than allowing patchwork repairs after utility work, we reached a significant agreement: National Grid will now repave entire streets, curb to curb, across the village after upgrades. This work will begin soon, and we’ll continue providing updates via our Facebook page and the village website.
We’re also working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and other government partners to address longstanding challenges like mitigation efforts at Little Beach. These investments are part of our broader strategy to protect and prepare Island Park for the future.
As we look ahead to the village’s 100th anniversary, we have a unique opportunity not just to celebrate our past, but also to shape our future. A future in which our children and grandchildren can live, work and raise families in a village that is safer, stronger and more vibrant than ever.
Mark your calendars: our Halloween Beach Bash and Winter Wonderland holiday celebration are just around the corner, promising more moments of joy and togetherness. From ice skating and the tree lighting to cherished traditions new and old, the spirit of Island Park continues to shine bright.
This year was one of growth, pride and progress. I’m honored to serve as your mayor, and I invite you to join me as we continue this journey. The renaissance of our village is just getting started, and the best is yet to come.
Michael G. McGinty is mayor of Island Park.
