Residents Request Boat Launches and Band Venues at Sunken Meadow Park Meeting

Nearly 100 local residents filled the Kings Park High School at a recent meeting to give input and suggestions on how to best plan and improve the decades old Sunken Meadow State Park, with ideas ranging from more dog walks to better boat access.

The March 3 meeting was held by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in an effort to involve the public in the planning process on the future of the park.

Area residents turned out to share their view on the aging park with some asking for little to no adjustments while others had visions of grandeur with a park rivaling Jones Beach.

"Why  not an Aquatic Adventure Land? Why not a variety of boardwalk concessions, food shops and gift shops? How about an outdoor concert hall, instead of on Smithtown Library‘s front lawn?” said Smithtown resident Richard Macellaro who says little has changed in the 25 years he has been coming to the park.

Arlene Mullin, Secretary for LI Dogs, a dog owners group that advocates for more access to public parks for dogs wants to see a more canine friendly area.

“More trails should be opened up to allow dogs. There should be access for older people and the disabled who have dogs,” said Mullin. The park does have handicapped access, but dogs are not allowed in bathing, picnic areas or walkways according to the park's website.

Local resident, Jack Hessel would like better boat access, citing the difficult rip current when trying to launching boats at the Kings Park Bluff 's ramp.

“I would like to see direct access to the (Long Island) Sound for boats. The Bluff is tough to launch a boat and the Nissequogue ramp is inadequate. Consider a ramp on the east end of the park,” said Hessel.

Linda Henninger, a boater and advocate for Nissequogue River State Park agrees, but thinks improvements at NRSP would help to solve the problem and that a new access isn't necessary.

"The conditions for launching a boat at the Nissequogue River State Park are less than optimal. The area is in desperate need of dredging. Once that occurs and the state's planned improvements to the marina are completed, any problems associated with launching from this area will be eliminated," said Henninger.

Kings Park Civic Association President Sean Lehmann relayed the feedback he received from the group’s Facebook page. Suggestions made included tennis courts, extended bike paths and bike lanes as well as fixing the bathrooms.

This was the first stage in a process where park officials are inviting the public to comment on the park’s use, improvements and future ideas.

Ron Foley, Director of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation explained the significance of the public meeting.

“It tells us what attention needs to be given to what areas, what we want to see there. A plan enlivens everything. It is roadmap,” said Foley.

 The department plans to look at use changes, operational issues, aging infrastructure and historic resources. The benefit of the plan, explained Park Planner, Mark Hohengasser, is to improve resource protection, understand the issues and build a support base.

“It went great, no surprises. The information we got will help out with the master plan process,” he said.

The public comment session is open until April 4. A draft of the plan will be drawn up by September of this year with another public hearing following in October of 2011. That meeting will also be held in Kings Park. The final plan is expected in January of 2012.