Riverhead Supe Would Like Performances in Grangebel Park

With news on Tuesday that a fundraising goal had been reached for the new playground adjacent to the Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said he has more plans in store for the downtown parcel.

The River and Roots Community Garden organization announced on Tuesday that thorugh generous donations, it had reached its goal of $1000 to erect a fence around a new community playground on a parcel located across from the intersection of Griffing Avenue and West Main Street.

And now, Walter said, he has other plans, for a performance stage and old pumphouse in Grangebel Park. "There's more in store," Walter said.

Walter, who spends time every year in Lake George, said he'd like to replicate the types of street performances he has seen there in downtown Riverhead. Also on the table is the possibility of a theater group utilizing the performance stage, perhaps with Shakespeare in the park or other shows.

Although finances are limited, and performers would need to donate their time or "work for tips," Walter is open to all suggestions and encourages artists with aspirations or ideas to contact him. "We'd need a self-motivated, self starter," he said.

The playground constructions is just another step in the steady efforts of Riverhead Town to bring new life to the parcel, Walter said.

"It really has come together nicely," Walter said on Tuesday. "I think it's fantastic that in less than a year, we've taken back that side of West Main Street."

Over the last months, not only has the blossomed, but ,  Grangebel Park improvements commenced, and took shape.

"This is a small benchmark of the success we've had," breathing new life into downtown Riverhead, since he took office, Walter said.

Walter said the parcel, once riddled with individuals loitering, now has new life and provides "a beautiful opportunity to enjoy the park and the riverfront."  

His approach to revitalizing the area has been to take "one step at a time," Walter said. "I have always said if I can't rebuild the comfort station on West Main Street, how am I ever going to revitalize downtown?"

Donations for the playground's new fence were received from community members and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Creating Healthy Places Suffolk County, making it possible to move forward with erecting the fence in a very short time.

An initial grant of $4500 from the Rotary Club of Riverhead and other contributors helped nurture the playground.

Last October, a " the Town Board announced plans to site a playground next to the River and Roots Community Garden downtown.

Chris Kempner, director of the Community Development Department, said at the time that the town was eligible each year for federal funds from the Housing and Urban Development Department to the tune of $150,000. 

Down the line, town officials have said Grangebel Park might be connected to the area with a decorative walkway.

In January, the Riverhead Town Board awarded a $51,000 bid for playground equipment for the new playground.

“All of these new public improvements, along with the wave of new businesses, are gaining momentum in creating a downtown Riverhead that is truly a community gathering place that people from all walks of like can enjoy," Kempner said Tuesday. "From gardening to rowing to arts and culture – downtown will provide a wide selection of activities for residents, businesses and tourists to participate in."

After reaching the fundraising goal, Laurie Nigro of the Rivers and Roots group said, "The community of Riverhead continues to prove that our town is filled with concerned and involved citizens by regularly responding to the call for support of downtown projects, businesses and events. Riverhead is an amazing place to live, work and play."