Nissequogue River State Park - A Place For Healing

The push to construct a “Healing Garden” within State Park

By Chad Kushins

Last month, an initiative to construct a “Healing Garden” within the grounds of the Nissequogue State Park moved forward with a major fundraising event, organized by the Kings Park-Commack Rotary Club.  The “Wine and Cheese” fundraiser, held at the park at 79 Saint Johnland Road in Kings Park on May 2^nd, gave guests an opportunity to witness the unveiling of construction designs and tentative completion dates.  In addition, officials and community supporters were in attendance, offering commentary and words of support for the garden and the Rotary’s initiative – and to see the finalized plans for the upcoming garden.

“It is and will be a special place,” said Deputy Director of the Long Island Region of State Parks and formerDeputy Director Brian X. Foley and Park Director Sean Cruickshank State Senator Brian X. Foley, an advocate for the “Healing Garden” and its construction, “especially for all those who first came to Kings Park, the immigrants who came to Long Island to settle and build homes.”

Taking the podium to address those guests in attendance, Foley continued, “It has been a period of transition for [Nissequogue State Park] and we look forward to the building of this particular garden … there is something remarkable here and this construction is the first important step.  These hospital grounds were once an atmosphere of helping those with mental illness and it can now be a place of serenity and peace.”

The park is located on the banks and bluffs of the Nissequogue River.  The park was initially announced in 1999 and soon established on the waterfront portion of the former Psychiatric Center.  Many of the hospital’s original buildings remain standing in the park.  Building 125, the former Veterans Administration Building currently serves as the main park office.  Recreational events for residents take place, in the public-friendly areas, including, bird watching, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, biking, and guided tours, many of which are conducted by the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation. 

The proposed “Healing Garden” takes as its inspiration the numerous such designated areas located within public sanctuaries, monasteries, and other places of mediation, where the design and layout is made to exist concurrently with the natural surroundings.  In New York’s Central Park, eight separate areas are officially designated as “quiet zones” and the Nissequogue State Park “Healing Garden” would function for similar usage. The “Healing Garden” is collaboration between the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club and the NYS Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation. 

According to Rotary Club President, Pat Biancaniello, “The Commack – Kings Park Rotary Club is a service club that does many things both internationally and locally.  After identifying this as a local project the club wanted to take on, we worked to find a landscape designer and to get approvals from the state.  Everyone at the state level has been very cooperative. Both Brian Foley and Sean Cruickshank have been wonderful.  Reaching out to the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation was a no brainer.  The Foundation has worked incredibly hard to improve this park. There are so many people who are supporting this project, not only those who are here but those who gave generously especially Mr. Reichert, owner of the Fort Salonga IGA, who supports manyPat Biancaniello, Charles Reichert , Fred Kruger events here at the park.  We all hope to make this garden a place where people can relax, reflect and enjoy the beauty of the park’s natural surroundings.”

According to Nissequogue River State Park Foundation Chairman Mike Rosato, the “Healing Garden” is slated for construction in the more northern end of the grounds.  “Right now, we’re just preparing for the first phase of the demolition,” Rosato initially told Smithtown Matters.  “We’re looking forward to being a part of this project along with New York State Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Rotary.  It will provide the public with a peaceful place with the park, overlooking the Long Island Sound and the Nissequogue River.”

Rosato was also on-hand to address the guests in attendance and to elaborate on some of the garden’s finer details, describing its conceptual design as based on Staten’s Island’s Snug Harbor– another public park which houses a similar “healing grounds” area in its cultural center and botanical garden.  “This state park,” said Rosato, is like a fine wine and only gets better with age.  Partnerships are what make things work and I think we have the right people in place,” he added, thanking the members of the Rotary Club and the State Parks and Recreation department, as well as both Director of the Long Island Region of State Parks Ron Foley and State Senator John J. Flanagan.

It was at a Kings Park Chamber of Commerce meeting on April 18^th that Brian X. Foley initially spoke in regards to $14 million that had recently been secured for the state park by State Senator John J. Flanagan, claiming that the total sum was slated for the demolition of the fifteen condemned and vacant structures of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center, which once stood on the same land now occupying Nissequogue State Park.  According to Foley, the demolition is to be immediately followed by a massive clean-up operation, in which any left-over dangerous and hazardous materials are to be safely removed.

“What comes to mind is an outdoor sanctuary,” said garden designer Joan G. McGillicuddy, who made her own presentation of artists’ renderings and schematics,” while drawing on the principles of Chi.” 

According to McGillicuddy, when coming up with the final designs for the “healing Garden”, she kept those principles in check, adding both the enclosure surrounding by trees and shrubs, and the “meandering path” that was called for.  “What drew me to the overall shape,” she added, “were ancient images of ‘Mother Earth.’”  McGillicuddy added that water, especially the Long Island Sound just beyond the horizon of the park, will act as an “anchor” to the garden’s designs, which also will include only native plants and keep existing foliage and wildlife in mind.  To further concerns regarding natural wildlife, the garden will also mostly include “deer-resistant” plants.

McGillicuddy explained that the ultimate aesthetic goals for the park is to plant specific plant-life and foliage that blossoms during different parts of the year, yielding a beautiful visual spectacle no matter when community members choose to visit.  “What we would really like to see,” she added, “are things happening during all four seasons – that way no matter when someone visits, there will be something interesting to see.”

The finished constructed “Healing Garden” is slated to be built as 30 feet by 30 feet,  and could, depending on its success within the community, path the way towards a “next phase” – possibly a labyrinth within Nissequogue State Park.”

The demolition is slated to begin in early July of 2012, with an approximate completion date of November 2013.

Additional information regarding the future plans for Nissequogue State Park are available through the Foundation at their official website: http://www.ourstatepark.com/as well as the park’s official site through New York’s Park and Recreation: http://nysparks.com/parks/110/details.aspx.

(Note: Smithtown Matters editor and publisher Patricia Biancanello is a member of both the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club and the Nissequogue River Foundation)

Zone Change? Legitimize Activities? Stay Tuned

Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting was long.  Over three hours long.  To no one’s surprise not much was accomplished.  The Carlson’s attorney, Vincent Trimarco, presented the case for a zone change. He did so bemoaning the fact that it had come down to asking for a zone change and suggesting that there should have been a compromise along the way.  Hank Carlson had most of the people in the room laughing when he equated the zoning issues to covering one’s private parts with burlap underware.  Toby Carlson spoke about the roots in the community and the desire to be good neighbors.    

On to the audience.  No one was buying the Carlsons as victims.  Person after person stood at the podium and spoke about their suffering. They spoke of bad odors, the untruths, the lack of response from the town, the DEC and the business owners.  People stood and talked about not being able to enjoy their property because of the noise, the smells, the trucks.

Some audience members spoke about health issues and the fear of what will happen to their lives if Smithtown does the unthinkable and permits a zone change to heavy industry.  Mothers and fathers talked about their families and why they choose to remain where they live. 

Community organization representatives spoke in angst about power plants and truck traffic.  

Mostly, people spoke in frustration that the problems in this area have continued, without resolution, for decades. Even worse, speakers expressed the feeling that no one seems to be listening. Everyone seemed to want a compromise that would permit business owners to exist without negatively impacting on the environment,  homes and mostly their families.  Is it possible?

Meeting adjourned until September.

Here are questions that came out of the meeting?

1.  Why was the meeting not adjourned?

2.  Who wants a zone change?

3.  Are activities taking place on the Carlson property that are detrimental to the health and well being of the residents in surrounding communities?

4.  Is the current Town Board capable of making a decision or willing to go on the record as to to what they think should be done in the area?

5. How much tax revenue is generated from the businesses in the area?

6.  What is the economic reality of any zone change?

7.  Can the infrastructure support a zone change?

8.  Where can residents go to get answers to their questions?

9.  Is there a solution?

10. Is there someone on the Board willing to take the lead on this?

Smithtown Resident Gets Caleb Smith's "Preservation Award"

Peter Paquette

            Smithtown resident Peter Paquette received the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s prestigious preservation award on June 2 during The Canoe Trip Benefit on the Nissequogue River, which was coordinated and sponsored by two of the town’s preservation groups: the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve and the Smithtown Historical Society.           

            Following the canoe trip, approximately 100 boaters and guests sat down to a barbecue by Main Street Meats & Catering at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park where they enjoyed live music by guitarist Norman Vincent.

            Mr. Paquette, who has been a member of the Friends group since it was founded in 2000, was given the award based on more than thirty years of environmental service to Long Island and the Smithtown community. This included his days as science chairman at Kings Park Junior High School where he organized the school’s first Earth Day celebration in the 1970s and founded a Conservation Club. Following his retirement he volunteered with the Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation, and chaired the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s annual Junior Anglers Fishing Tournament. He currently is the Friends’ liaision to the regional Nissequogue River Watershed Steering Committee, where he is a member of its water quality committee; and a member of Save the Sound, a Connecticut/Long Island advocacy group. He is a weekly volunteer with the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Association where for ten years he has been teaching schoolchildren about the U. S. Lifesaving Service; conducting lifesaving demonstrations as well as tower and nature-trail tours. He is currently a docent in the new Lens Building where the original Fire Island Lighthouse Fresnel lens was recently put on exhibit.

            The Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s preservation award was established seven years ago to recognize individuals, or groups, for their efforts in the conservation and preservation of historical structures, the local natural environment or that of the larger community. Past recipients of the award were Smithtown residents Louise Hall, Joanne and Michael D’Agostino, and Mary Ann Spencer of Setauket.

            Sponsors for this year’s canoeing event were: Hirsch Fuels Inc.; Smithtown Chiropractic, Dr. David A Wallman; Touch of Class Car Wash; John and Nancy Haynes; EGM Construction Corp.; Strathmore Bagels, Inc.; Dr. Bruce D. Yudelson, Yudelson Hearing Aid Center; Harlan J. Fischer, Branch Financial Services, Inc.; Tommy Hancock; Austin, James, Kyle, Kevin; Aimee and Randolph Schmitt, Friends of Connetquot; and Fidelity Investments.

Smithtown's History - Horse Talk

By Rita Egan

From time to time, Smithtown residents will spot a horse grazing at its home or being led by its owner to a local park. However, in our town’s past, these beautiful animals were part of equestrian events that took place right in our township.

photo - Smithtown Historical SocietySmithtown was even once home to a racehorse considered a champion in our country. According to Colonel Rockwell’s Scrap-Book, a trotter named *Lady Suffolk was the first to beat the record of one mile in 2:30 minutes. Foaled in 1833 on a farm in Smithtown, her first two years were spent as a work animal. After being sold to a member of the Blydenburgh family, the horse pulled a butcher’s truck for another two years. It was a David Bryant who discovered her and brought the horse to his farm in Commack. In 1838 at the age of five, Lady Suffolk ran her first race and at 12 years old ran one mile in 2:29 ½ minutes. According to Smithtown Historian Brad Harris, during her career, she raced 169 races, won 89 and placed second in 53. In 1854 after a successful 16-year career, Lady Suffolk died at the age of 21.  

When it came to attending horse races in the late 1800s, local residents didn’t have to travel far to spend the day at the track. A popular race track, a result of the Burr family’s tradition of horse breeding, was located right in Commack where we find Commack High School today.

According to Harris’s Commack…a beautiful place: Commack Public Education, 100 Years — 1899-1999, hotelphoto - Smithtown Historical Society owner Smith Burr began breeding light harness horses, and was one of the first trainers to use a sulky. The light cart, as opposed to wagons, allowed the horses to move at faster speeds. In 1857, Smith’s son Carll bought a 350-acre piece of property, which became known as Indian Head Stock Farm. Once found on the south side of what is now Burr Road, the farm had a half-mile track. Carll, who specialized in raising Hambletonians, started the Burr Equine Educational Institution. Throughout his career, known as the Grand Old Man of Commack, he worked with the horses of prominent figures such as President Ulysses S. Grant and J.P. Morgan.

photo - Smithtown Historical SocietyIt was with his son Carll Burr Jr. that the Grand Old Man of Commack built a race track on the east side of Town Line Road. A popular spot in the 1890s, the one-mile oval race track with its regular weekend trotting races drew people from all over Long Island as well as the state. However, in 1900 an anti-betting law was passed, and the days of horse racing at the Burr race track started to become a part of history. According to Harris, the track was used again in the 20s and 30s, but this time around for motorcycle, bicycle and automobile racing.    

While anti-betting laws may have deterred early residents from attending the horse races, another equestrian event became popular in Smithtown. According to Harris, Lawrence Smith Butler, a descendant of town founder Richard Smythe, proposed the idea of a horse show to friends. Simply called the Smithtown Horse Show, the first show was held in 1909 at Fifty Acre Field located at the southwest corner of Edgewood Avenue and Moriches Road.

Fifty Acre Field proved to be a perfect spot with a race track right on the property. It was once the vicinity ofphoto - Smithtown Historical Society the St. James Driving Park, which had been owned by Butler’s uncle James Clinch Smith. While not much is known of the driving park, Harris said an 1877 Long Island Rail Road brochure called it a popular resort. Smith sold the property in 1905 to an opera singer, who eventually sold the property to Butler and his brother Charles. With his land purchase, as well as additional land that was deeded to him by his mother, Butler not only held the horse shows on the property but also started a country club.  

The Smithtown Horse Show included local residents and their horses competing in categories such as saddle, harness, hunting, roadster and racing. Among the impressive participants and committeeman were members of the Smith family including golf architect Devereaux Emmet, who was married to Smith descendant Ella Smith. Other participants included the likes of family members of William J. Gaynor who resided at Deepwells Mansion and served as New York City mayor from 1910 to 1913.

photo - Smithtown Historical SocietyHarris said bleachers, benches and a spectators pavilion could be found at Fifty Acre Field for the annual event. In the early days, there was no admission price charged or cash prizes for entrants. Attendees would bring their picnic lunches, and men could be seen in suits and bowlers and women in gowns with parasols. The shows would include work horses as well as ponies, and the various categories provided opportunities to compete for not only men, but women and children also.    

According to a September 26, 1930 Long Islander article, two horse shows were held in Smithtown that year due to a difference of opinion among members. The North Shore Horse Show was held on the same days only a half a mile away from the Smithtown Horse Show. According to the article, the original show drew around 2,000 attendees which included the usual locals, while the new show was attended by around 500 people who were mostly out-of-towners.

Despite the split in 1930, the Smithtown Horse Show remained a popular event for decades, and in 1939 a young Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) even participated in the show. According to Images of America – St. James by Geoffrey K.Fleming, the last horse show to be held in our township was in 1981.

The days of equestrian events may be a part of the town’s past, but with plenty of land and parks, residents are still fortunate to enjoy these beautiful animals right here in Smithtown. 

Editors Note * Found this in The NY Times written in 1962 -

By Louis Effrat – Special to The New York Times

“WESTBURY, L.I., SEPT, 7 – Nowadays ——-and nights———trotters race a mile a half minute or so faster than Lady Suffolk did more than 100 years ago.  However, when the mare became the first to trot that distance in a tick or two under 2:30, she was the talk of many a town.

In fact, Lady Suffolk, who was foaled at Smithtown, L.I., was the one who inspired the song, “The Old Grey Mare.”

Lady Suffolk, who dominated the harness racing scene from 1838 to 1853, will be honored tomorrow night at Roosevelt Raceway.  The feature event will be the Lady Suffolk Trot, in which eight 3-year-old filly trotters will go to the post in quest of the winner’s share of the $27,723.25 purse.” The New York Times Published September 8, 1962

Veterans Brought to Final Rest - Cremated Veterans Honored At LI National Cemetery

By James B. Teese

St. James Photos by James B. Teese

National Cemetery Photos by Grace Colucci

In military parlance, the time was 0700 hours, a fitting reference to mark the beginning of ceremonies that would give special meaning to May 19, 2012: Armed Forces Day.

Then, at the St. James Funeral Home on Middle Country Road, the engines of the motorcycles broke for a moment the early morning quiet as members of the Patriot Guard Riders arrived at the Saint James Funeral Home to be greeted by the Maher family, licensed funeral directors and proprietors of the funeral home.

Patriot Guard Riders escort Hearse to LI National CemeteryAs the riders parked by a parked hearse, a respectful quiet began again in anticipation of the mission to commence — a Veterans Honor Mission to bring to final rest at Long Island National Cemetery the remains of cremated Veterans, remains which had been in the secure custodial care of the Mahers.

St. James was one of fifteen such morning gatherings.  Fifteen Long Island funeral homes were preparing for trips to the National Cemetery to bring the ‘cremains’ of 63 Veterans, as well as five spouses and a son, to their final rest.

The cremains of the Veterans had been in care for years.  Many of the 63 Vets had served in World War I.  One Army Veteran, Winfield S. Rowland, who died in 1913, had served in the Spanish-American War!

From each funeral home, a hearse traveled to the ‘muster area’ off the Long Island Expressway to form a procession down Route 110 to the cemetery, with police and fire department escorts, and under ladder arches flying U.S. Flags.  At the intersection with Smith Street in Farmingdale, members of the St. James Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company were a part of that effort, along with other volunteer firefighters.  Former Captain Lou DeStefano along with firefighters Alyssa Byrus and Lt. Mitch Corace were on-hand to salute.

At the Cemetery, a formal program was held, with VA, Cemetery, military,East Meadow Fire Department
At LI National Cemetery each urn lovingly borne by Veteransand elected officials were in attendance, joined by hundreds of patriotic Long Islanders, including fire and police personnel, uniformed service men and women, family, and friends.

Traditional honors included prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, a local choir’s singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, the playing of “Taps,” and a rendition of a newer classic, “Proud to Be an American.”

St. James to Pinelawn

En route to the Northern State Parkway along Route 347, patrons of the Touch of Class Car Wash stopped, with some offering salutes as the escorts and hearse passed.

“People along the local route stopped, watched, and wondered,” noted the Mahers.  “Then we knew…a long overdue, earned honor was finally beginning to be given.”

From Middle Country Road, Ken and Kerry Maher drove the hearse behind Patriot Guard Riders and Suffolk County Police Department.

St. James FD’s Lt. Richard D. Weisse, Jr. and Fire Fighter Christopher Wrenn drove Engine #1 in the line while taking up the rear of the Honor procession through the local streets to the highways.

Engraved urns containing the “Cremains” of Veterans Walter Olsen and Frank Hayes await escortPrior to leaving, the engraved urns were set prominently on a table in the funeral home foyer, laid beside folded American Flags.

When all were ready, Ken Maher, also a Deacon, led a prayer and farewell for the pair of St. James Veterans.A respectful crowd gathered to be a part of the Veterans Honor Mission, as Funeral Director and Deacon Ken Maher delivered remarks prior to the urns being placed in the hearse for the trip to Pinelawn

At the conclusion of the brief service, the urns were carefully borne by members of the local John W. Cooke VFW Post #395, Commander Frank Todaro and George Johnston.  Each urn was slowly secured in the waiting hearse.

            Repositioning as one with their flags, other Veterans and residents formed lines through which the hearse would leave the driveway to depart on its Mission.

            “We will honor any Veteran, especially one that has been well, ignored, for so long,” said Todaro of his participation.

            Knights of Columbus member Lou Ruocco, who lives in Centereach but attends Saints Philip and James Roman Catholic Church in St. James, thought the mission was significant.

“It was an honor to come here and do this for the Veterans.  It’s a nice thing,” he said.

            Terry Roche, from Kings Park, came with his family.  A Marine Corps Veteran, he said the Mahers and the government “were doing the right thing.”

“We had a good representation from St. Philip and James [parish]” he said.

Younger generations were also on hand.

Lauriann Kormylo of Smithtown, a student at Our Lady of Mercy, said “It was a really good honor and I didn’t want to miss it.  I thought it was important to be here.”

The Mahers wished to thank other organizations and members of the community, including members of the Saints Philip & James school and families, the Junior Catholic Daughters, the Saint James Fire Department, the Officers of our Fourth Precinct of the Suffolk County PD, the members of the John W. Cooke VFW Post #395, the members of the Knights of Columbus Council #12839, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“From a funeral home perspective to be finally able to secure a person’s rightful due, the justice in this is gratifying.  We are all so proud to have been a part of this group of caring people going outside of themselves for others,” said Betty Maher.

Local Vets of WWI

            From St. James, two Veterans, both of whom served during World War I, were honored.  Their information comes from Betty Maher’s research to gain clearance for their inurnment.

Walter R. Olsen, a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps, lived at of 204 Jefferson Avenue, Saint James with his wife, Dorothea Thoms Olsen for more than a decade.  The couple had a daughter, Joan Olsen Golder, and three grandchildren.

Olsen was born in New York State on March 28, 1895 and died in Smithtown General Hospital on May 5, 1976, at the age of 81.  He retired as a Bank Manager for Chemical Bank.

            Frank Hayes, enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 8, 1917, rose to the rank of Corporal, and was separated “for the convenience of the government” on May 19, 1919.  His ashes were brought to the National Cemetery exactly 93 years to the day later!

Hayes lived at 198 Jefferson Avenue, Saint James with his wife, Gertrude Huhn.  They also had a daughter, Andrea Evangelista.  He was a trucker for the Domino Sugar Company.

Hayes was born in New York State on December 9, 1896 and died on March 14, 1984 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport at the age of 87.

A Simple Conversation

            The Veterans Honor Mission started “as a simple conversation over dinner at a Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Director Association meeting,” said Kerry Maher, daughter of Ken and Betty Maher.

            She and others concurred with the prior president that unclaimed cremated remains deserved their final rest, especially those of Veterans.  A place of honor at a National Cemetery could be found, they believed.Each urn was laid to rest in the columbairum at Long Island National Cemetery, with a suitably engraved stone for each Veteran’s niche.

“Time does take a toll,” Kerry explained, “families move away, people ‘lose touch’, and other family members pass, leaving some remains with us.”  Kerry, a Board member for the Association, Kerry brought the idea home for a family discussion.

            The funeral director from whom the Mahers purchased the Saint James Funeral Home in 1977 had offered custodial care of the cremains entrusted to both the Darling and Swenson Funeral Homes of Smithtown when those homes closed, noted Betty Maher.

“A bond forged as far back as the early 1900’s continues to this day,” she said.

Betty Maher then pursued the often tedious research to verify the status of the Veterans, sometimes aided by records from the Northport VA Medical Center.

            With identities confirmed and clearances gained, Betty obtained assistance from the Batesville Casket Company, which donated the urns.

“This entire experience has been absolutely incredible,” Betty said.  “From a patriotic view, to be able to help Veterans whom we’ve never met, those who fought for us even though they never knew us is a humbling experience.”

The Mahers continue to care for and protect other cremains.

“If a family is interested in possibly finding and claiming their relatives, we will do whatever it takes to return these people to their families.  We’re hopeful that there are other families who may remember and call to bring their loved ones home to their rightful places.”

“As long as we have not been approached by families, these people will remain with us,” the Mahers declared.