Patriots Preserve Opens to the Public in Shirley

A stunning promenade around a placid lake greets visitors to Brookhaven’s newly-opened Patriots Preserve Park in Shirley, the site of the former Links Golf course off William Floyd Parkway.

After a steady rain on Saturday, families flooded into the park for a beautiful Sunday afternoon to take in the crisp fall weather and stroll across the floating dock that takes them across the lake. Kids frolicked on a new playground while their parents reposed on nearby benches.

“On this glorious day, and with the snap of the scissors for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Patriots Preserve is open to the public,” said town Councilman Dan Panico at a ceremony earlier in the week with Legislator Jim Mazzarella and Supervisor Ed Romaine. Dressing up as a Patriot was local resident Joe May, who was joined by Pattersquash Civic Association President Frank Fugarino and other notables including Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Trustee Joe Furnari and reps from the Mastic Peninsula Historical Society and the Great South Bay Republican Club.

Councilman Dan Panico’s office and Robert Chartuk

The $1.5 million Phase I of the 100-acre park saw the installation of bathrooms, landscaping, and irrigation, along with the 11-foot wide walkway and a new artesian well. Phase II will see an amphitheater and a bronze plaque featuring the Declaration of Independence, the nation’s founding document signed by local patriot William Floyd. It will be modeled after a similar monument at Boston Commons in Massachusetts, according to Panico, who noted that the town will be open to further ideas from the community to build out the park, such as fountains in the lake.

Dressed as a colonist, Joe May looks on as Brookhaven Councilman Dan Panico, Supervisor Ed Romaine, and Legislator Jim Mazzarella announce the opening of Patriots Preserve Park. Councilman Dan Panico’s office and Robert Chartuk

There will be ample funds for improvements, with $1 million a year for three years coming from the Sunrise Wind project in exchange for the town hosting a cable along the parkway, in addition to $80,000 per year for the life of the Montauk-based turbines, probably about 25 years.

The park could also be the new home of the George Washington statue and other monuments in New York City, which officials there want to remove. Supervisor Ed Romaine offered to relocate them, along with statues of Christopher Columbus, to local parks.

Councilman Dan Panico’s office and Robert Chartuk

Councilman Dan Panico’s office and Robert Chartuk

Councilman Dan Panico’s office and Robert Chartuk