Officials Open Newly Renovated Ross Memorial Park In Brentwood

BRENTWOOD, NY — A brand-new Brentwood park is officially open.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter, NYS Assemblyman Phil Ramos, and other elected officials and community members unveiled a newly renovated Ross Memorial Park on Thursday.

Once the "site of homelessness, illegal drug activity and a clash with police", it had been shuttered by Town officials in September 2020 after members of the Suffolk County Police Department determined that the park had been a "hot spot" for illegal activity and loitering.

"Today, Supervisor Carpenter and Assemblyman Ramos delivered on their promise from three years ago, by opening the gates to the state-of-the-art park and celebrating with community members," a release said.

Park features include a new parking lot providing families convenient access to the park; a new playground structure and swings with a safety play surface; new fencing around the perimeter of the park; a new pavilion; walking paths, and new lighting structures.

Additional work continues in the park which will include benches surrounding the playground; electrical components (sound/lighting) for the pavilion, which will be a new source of public assembly for the community; game tables; picnic tables and a storage shed.

"Each and every resident in our Town deserves a good quality of life and places where they can take their children out for a day in the park, and not be concerned about their family’s safety," said Carpenter. "For too long, this park had been the site of illegal drug activity and homelessness. Working together with Assemblyman Phil Ramos, this park has been transformed into a destination for families, and with this beautiful pavilion, it will be cultural center for the Brentwood community, and the entire Town."

Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos also secured a capital fund grant for the Town of Islip for $655,000 to be used for the Ross Memorial Park improvement project.

"Today is a proud day for all of us from Brentwood as we turn another page from the past and look forward to a newer and brighter tomorrow," said Ramos. "The construction of a new Ross Park is a testament to our commitment to creating a better quality of life for all our residents. The construction of a new Ross Park is another promise kept to the people of Brentwood and another proud milestone that will create a new epicenter of culture, music, and community that will revitalize our downtown. I thank Supervisor Carpenter and her team for their continued support and partnership."

Carpenter also added she had long advocated for the relocation of the five bus shelters at the entrance of the park that "unfortunately contributed to the unsafe environment" it created for the community.

"Traffic will flow a little better on Brentwood Road and the whole area will be much safer," she said.