For decades, 'our' picture-perfect park
During her 60 years of marriage, the writer has appreciated the beautiful sunsets at Wantagh Park along with its amenities such as a playground and marina. Credit: Diane Sciacchitano
One balmy Sunday afternoon, my husband, Paul, and I stopped by the local Dunkin and with our coffees in hand headed over to Wantagh Park. This is a familiar destination for us since we have been frequenting the park our entire married life, 60 years to date. Recently, we have been reminiscing about the many memories our family had made in this park dating back to 1965 when we would bundle our infant daughter in blankets and stroll the length of the park from the playground down to the marina. While Christine slept peacefully in her carriage, we sat on a park bench and gazed at the pristine water with its boats bobbing in their slips. The view was beautiful.
As the years rolled by, our family grew, and on most Sundays the children looked forward to our outings at this favorite park. We stuffed bikes into our station wagon, yes that is what we drove in the ’60s, along with Frisbees, tennis rackets and a bag of charcoal for a barbecue on one of the many grills the park provided. As soon as we reached the playground, the kids would race to the winding maze, shouting “you’re it” while an on-site ice cream truck played its familiar tune signaling treats were waiting to be enjoyed by the family. The kids are grown now, and as I go through photos of days gone by, I cannot help but feel a bit wistful.
Over time, the park playground has seen many updates. An indoor party room has been added for special occasions. Another inviting amenity is the area for large gatherings under one of the three pavilions where tables are set up to enjoy the day with family and friends. The miniature golf course, an addition in 2016, is beautifully landscaped, attracting moms and dads and their children to enjoy a form of recreation that’s been around for ages.
We see parents taking photos with their phones, making their own memories to cherish and reminisce years from now. The marina has gone through other renovations and, in addition to the tennis courts, there is a doggy park. We observed pet owners chatting back and forth while their pooches got exercise and enjoyed their own “play date.”
Recently, while entertaining family from out of town, we decided to take them over to “our park.” As we walked around, we spotted people lined up with fishing poles and crab baskets, hoping to fill their empty buckets.
Our family loves the lighthouse, erected in 2016, where people can sit at the many tables and benches surrounding it. We have observed fundraisers there for different organizations.
Catching a glorious sunset on a late Sunday afternoon seems the perfect way to end a weekend. No matter what the season, the beauty of the glistening water is picture-perfect. It is comforting to know “our” Wantagh Park is still helping us to make memories.
Reader Diane Sciacchitano lives in North Massapequa.
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