By:Carrie James
Chamber, Hempstead break ground on town square for E. Meadow
East Meadow's Veterans Memorial Park will soon receive a makeover thanks to the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce's dedication and Hempstead Town's support.
It's been a goal, said chamber President James Skinner, to provide East Meadow with a central point, a town square where they can gather for community events and celebrations.
"The biggest thing about this park is that it is your park," Skinner said, referring to the new square. "This is a place where you can come back 30, 40 years from now and see your name [in a personalized brick]. It's been here since 1963, and it still looks as nice as it did back then. The whole community can come here. It's going to be for everybody. In my eyes, that's what it's all about."
Skinner, along with several chamber members, public officials and community residents, took part in a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 25 to kick off the town-square project. In all, 17 commemorative shovels were given out to those who helped make this dream a reality, including past chamber President Patrick Curry, who initiated the discussions.
The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce has worked with the Town of Hempstead to create the town square for at least two years, said town Supervisor Richard Guardino.
Early on, town officials suggested Veterans Memorial Park as the site for the square, Guardino said. Not only is it centrally located, but also it fit nicely with a downtown renovation project along East Meadow Avenue.
"It's going to be a beautiful area," Guardino said. "It's going to be a centralized place for people to gather. We felt this was the most centrally located spot, and we've done a lot with East Meadow Avenue."
Initial costs of the town-square project, which includes a gazebo and decorative lighting and benches, will run about $250,000, Skinner said. The chamber has done many things to bring down that cost, however.
The chamber is raising funds for the project by selling personalized bricks that community residents and business owners can purchase for $50. Each brick will have the family's or business's name printed on it. The bricks will be set in walkways around the gazebo. So far, Skinner said the chamber has sold about 200 and hopes to sell 1,700.
Many other items have been donated. The Town of Hempstead paid for the engineering and design costs for the project, which will be on a 14,000-square-foot parcel at East Meadow and Prospect avenues. Home Depot is donating the wood that will be used to construct the gazebo, and East Meadow High School students will build it.
"Somebody is donating the concrete, and we've scaled down the number of benches and lighting," Skinner said. "We've also scaled down the shrubbery and landscaping."
Still, Skinner and community leaders believe it will be a great place for people.
"The town welcomes the opportunity to help the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and the local community to realize the dream of a town square to host local events such as Christmas tree and menorah lightings, wreath layings, veterans memorials, performances and other ceremonies," Guardino said.
Skinner estimates the town-square project will take about a year to complete. He hopes the concrete will be poured before winter hits, and remaining work will be finished next spring, including the gazebo.
