Commissioners of thePort Washington Water Pollution Control Districtsay sweeping renovations and new community programs are coming to Sunset Park following months of controversy surrounding the park’s former operators and the election defeat of former Commissioner Brandon Kurz.
Commissioners Melanie Cassens and Arduino “Eddy” Marinelli outlined plans to transform the waterfront park and clubhouse into what they described as a safer, more community-focused facility for children and families.
“We want to bring it back to its glory days,” Marinelli said.
The district took control of the park earlier this year after a prolonged dispute with the Port Washington Police Athletic League, the previous license holders, which had operated youth sports programming at the site. Cassens and Marinelli said the transition followed tensions that stretched through much of last year and culminated in leadership changes at the district after Commissioner Joseph D’Alonzo replaced Kurz following the election. The sewer district gained control of the clubhouse in February and plans to work with the non-profit organization Friends of Sunset Park, to control it, while the district remains the owner.
Marinelli credited D’Alonzo with helping move the district in a new direction.
“I can’t even begin to put into words what a positive influence he’s been,” Marinelli said. “We’re grateful to have him on board.”
According to the commissioners, one of their first priorities was ensuring local youth teams could continue using the athletic fields this spring. The district arranged access for softball, flag football, soccer and Little League teams while beginning a larger overhaul of the property.
The commissioners described the clubhouse they inherited as severely damaged and unsafe for children. They said broken windows, missing emergency door hardware, absent smoke detectors and stripped interiors greeted them when they assumed control in February.
“We haven’t allowed any children into the building yet because we didn’t feel like it was safe,” Cassens said.
The clubhouse is expected to reopen June 7 during HarborFest, when residents will be invited inside for the first public viewing since renovations began. Improvements include new paint, restored furnishings and updated safety features.
Source: LI Press
