Hicksville Farmers Market opens to huge crowd- open this Sunday, July 4th from 9am-2pm

The Hicksville Farmers Market opened last Sunday and was an overwhelming success! A sea of people descended on the booths, and by 11am several of the vendors had sold out and had to pack up and go home. Booths featured a variety of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, juices & preserves, fresh flowers, eggs, honey, cheese, LI potatoes, NY State wine, specialty olive oils, pickles, various dairy items, baked goods, fish and poultry. Everyone seemed excited to be shopping in their downtown, meeting up with their neighbors and chatting with the vendors. Many said they would be back next week!

The Farmers Market is the first project to come out of the Hicksville Downtown Revitalization, a joint effort between Vision Long Island, the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce and the Hicksville Community Council. Other critical agencies have been involved throughout the process including the Town of Oyster Bay, local elected officials, the LIRR, DOT and others. The group held a small press conference at 10am, thanking those who helped make the market possible and encouraging residents to get involved in ongoing revitalization efforts. 

Lionel Chitty, President of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, said, "It was a great showing! We're blown away by the response. It was great to see the community out and about, supporting local vendors and enjoying the day together. We're incredibly excited about the Smart Growth efforts moving forward in Hicksville."

Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island, said, "This was the largest grand opening of any farmers market on Long Island. No question, a Farmers Market in Hicksville was a worthwhile effort. I'm looking forward to spending my Sunday mornings in Hicksville this summer!"

Remember, the Farmers Market will be open every Sunday through November 21st, 9am-2pm, right next to the Hicksville train station between Jerusalem Ave. and Broadway. Stop by and support local agriculture and the Hicksville community!

In this picture: Duffy Park Civic Association's Sparky, Vision Long Island's Eric Alexander, Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia, Northwest Civic and Hicksville Community Council's Joel Berse, Hicksville Gardens Civic President Henry Goesman, Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, Hicksville Chamber of Commerce President Lionel Chitty, Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Market Manager Bernadette Martin, Hicksville Community Council's Stan Kobin, Hicksville Chamber's Phil Robertson, and Oyster Bay Councilman Tony Macagnone.

In this picture: (L) NYS Assemblyman Michael Montesano, Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia/ (R) Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia and Duffy Park Civic's Sparky

In this picture: (L) Northwest Civic Association President Joel Berse, Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alessia, Hicksville Gardens Civic President Henry Goesmann and Stephanie Gambino/ (R) Northwest Civic and Hicksville Community Council's Joel Berse and Hicksville Chamber President Lionel Chitty

In this picture: (L) NYS Assemblyman Michael Montesano, Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alessia, Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, Oyster Bay Councilman. Tony Macagnone/ (R) Market manager Bernadette Martin, Oyster Bay Economic Development Department's James McAffrey and economic development specialist Linda Bianculli

Visit the Hicksville Downtown Revitalization Facebook page to see pictures and learn more about what's going on in Hicksville!

Bay Shore Marina opens spray park; 2,000 kids enjoy Islip Beach Blast

This past Saturday, the Town of Islip celebrated the grand opening of the spray park at the Bay Shore Marina. "Shipwreck Cove" drew over 2,000 children from across the Town of Islip and Long Island to celebrate and enjoy the new wading pool, water slides and fun in the sun. The park, located at the Bay Shore Marina on South Clinton Avenue, opened its doors with a summer festival, the Islip Beach Blast, featuring live music, games and a fireworks show by Grucci Fireworks. Town of Islip elected officials led the event, including Supervisor Phil Nolan and Councilmen Steve Flotteron, John Edwards and Gene Parrington.

“This is a great turnout and a great day for all of Bay Shore,” said Supervisor Nolan. “I am always proud to bring this type of inexpensive family fun right into our communities and I applaud everyone that worked hard to make this spray park a reality.”

The unveiling of the spray park is just one component of the revitalization of the Bay Shore Marina that resulted from the visioning process undertaken by the Town and Vision Long Island in 2007. Prior improvements include new bulk headings, a new boardwalk with benches, swings, a winter ice rink, a refurbished bathhouse and concession stand and increased and improved parking. The Marina plan won a 2009 Smart Growth Award.

Pictured cutting the opening ribbon are (left to right) Islip Town Councilman Steve Flotteron; New York State Senator Owen Johnson; Donna Periconi, President of the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce; Supervisor Nolan; Councilman Gene Parrington; Councilman John Edwards; and Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island.

SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator;
Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director; Elissa Ward, Director of Sustainability; Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant; Chris Kyle, Program Coordinator

We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.

For more information about Vision Long Island, visit visionlongisland.org or contact us at:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768.
Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org