By Maureen Rossi
As July made its grand finale, local residents gathered for wine and cheese at the Administration Building in the Nissequogue River State Park. Melodious sonnets echoed from a single violin, the backdrop for enthusiastic chatter, as members and guests of the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club (CKPRC) and the ;)
Nissequogue River State Park Foundation (NRSPF) readied for the dedication of the new “Healing Garden” they were donating to the park.
In addition to Rotarians and Foundation members, Deputy Regional Director of New York State Parks, Brian Foley, was on hand for the garden dedication. Foley thanked all involved in the creation of the Healing Garden which is neatly tucked in a quiet northern quadrant of the park with spectacular views of the Kings Park Bluff. “This is a sign of things to come as we move forward with this park”, he exclaimed.
Foley found the site of the healing garden enormously appropriate given the history of the property. “So many families from Kings Park came from other countries to take care of the patients here,” he explained. “This is a very special week for Kings Park with this dedication and the Centennial Celebration of the Kings Park Fire Department.”
Hues of pink and orange floated across the slowly darkening sky like pastel ribbons and many guests went to the water’s edge to view the sunset; the clear cool night allowed celebrants to see clear across to the Connecticut shoreline. The night was perfect for the ceremony.
;)
(photo by F. MercuriThe Healing Garden was a partnership between two organizations, the Commack - Kings Park Rotary Club and the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation. In a presentation made before the dedication Pat Biancaniello, a member of both organizations, explained how the idea of the garden developed. The NSPRF has always advocated for the creation and preservation of the park and its beautiful vistas. Their efforts have been invaluable in ensuring that the park is here for everyone to enjoy. Rotary, she said, “does it all”. She explained the work of the Rotary both internationally and locally. “Rotary is about helping people, and communities. Working together to create a healing garden at the site was a perfect fit.”
She reminded everyone of the early days when Mike Rosato, Linda Henninger, Rob Trotta and Sean Lehman requested that she get involved with park. Then a visit to Snug Harbor in Staten Island (the site of a beautiful healing garden) at Assemblyman Engelbright’s suggestion. The rest is history.
Biancaniello thanked Rotary and the Foundation for their support of the project. She thanked Brian Foley for his support, former NRSP manager Sean Cruickshank, current manager of the park Bill Purtill* and Sunken Meadow State Park Manager Jeff Mason. All of whom she said were incredibly supportive and helpful. Pat also thanked the many supporters of the project with special recognition for IGA owner, Charles Reichert for his generous support.
The original garden design was donated by Joan McGuillicudy, The Surrogate Gardner. The construction and labor on the project was donated by St. James resident Eric Hagenbauch of Finesse Landscape Design. Eric and his crew put in over 230 hours on the project. He shared some of his secrets with the crowd.
“I took all the materials around the back of the building on a golf cart so there wouldn’t be any tire marks near the garden,” he explained. “I was worried about who would water the garden so I installed a sprinkler system as well,” he said. He also took great care to shape with an artist’s hand what appeared to be an old gnarled tree into what he now calls “The Tree of Life.”
People came from almost every hamlet in Smithtown showing tremendous support for the garden. Looking through the crowd many Kings Park community leaders were found enjoying the garden. Offering their support were Mike and Rosemary Sullivan, Gail and Jack Hessel, Maryann and Larry Flynn and Richard Macellaro.
“This is why we all chose to live here, for the natural beauty and the healing garden takes us one step closer to this park becoming a great place,” said Rob Trotta. Everyone seemed to share his sentiment.
Link to YouTube video of the event by Frank Mercuri http://youtu.be/7YXH-AEU62c
*Edit was made to correct the spelling of NRSP Manager Bill Purtill