Contracts propel Brentwood skate, spray parks forward

Islip officials approved contracts worth more than $246,000 for a Long Island company to design spray and skate parks at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood.

Council members on Jan. 15 voted to approve a $148,800 contract with Nelson and Pope Engineers and Surveyors of Melville for the design of the spray park. Also, board members voted at the Dec. 18 meeting to approve a $97,600 proposal to hire Nelson & Pope to design the skate park. 

Islip spokeswoman Caroline Smith said in an email the skate park project is only in the “very early stages” and no dates have been determined for when construction will begin or when the park will be completed.

Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and town officials have met with the skating community and will continue to do so to gather input, Smith said. Town officials will also eventually select a company to construct the skate park, Smith said.

Carpenter said a little-used parking lot on the east side of the park that is visible from the road will be converted into a skating area.

Jessica Jones, who was among a group of young advocates who successfully lobbied for the skate park, said building it will provide a big lift for Brentwood residents. 

"That area, the southeast side of Brentwood, has seen a lot of negative energy and a lot of violence," she said. "When kids have nothing to do, that's when they get in trouble."

Children and young adults skating together will impact their lives, Jones said.

"It's a very supportive community, and we need more of that. You learn these good habits as a kid, and you will carry them on later in life as an adult."

Islip councilmembers last September awarded a contract to build the $2.4 million spray park next to the Olympic-size pool at the Brentwood park.

The 7,100-square-foot spray park will boast 30 water features, including its own filtration system. It will be accessible for people with disabilities and for people of all ages, officials said.

Norberto Construction Inc., based in Commack, won the contract to build the park modeled after the Shipwreck Cove in Bay Shore. Assemb. Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) secured $2 million in state funding for the park. Islip will pick up the remainder of the tab, officials said.

Representatives with Norberto Construction Inc. have said the spray park will be completed by the spring.