Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour on Long Island, Announcing $550,000 to build Special Needs Park in Rockville Centre

Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Judy Griffin at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center to announce $550,000 to complete Mr. B’s Inclusive playground and make needed infrastructure improvements to the surrounding area.

“This annual tour allows me to see some of the wonderful things that are happening in communities across the state,” Speaker Heastie said. “This state funding, in addition to the fundraising done by the community, will make the park here in Rockville Centre accessible for kids with special needs and their families.”

“This inclusive playground has been a community, village and state collaboration since 2015. I am delighted that this allocation from the New York State Assembly can bring this playground to fruition as well as provide a new ADA-compliant restroom and LED lighting. This inclusive playground will be open to all, but will specifically offer those with special needs a playground designed to safely accommodate them,” Assemblymember Griffin said. “I am happy to have Speaker Heastie here with us today to announce this funding and be able to see the positive impact it will have for Rockville Centre residents and Assembly District 21 as a whole.”

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Griffin were joined by Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, Deputy Mayor Kathleen Baxley and Village Trustees Michael Sepe, Emilio Grillo and Katie Conlon at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center to announce $550,000 in state funding to complete an all-inclusive playground. This funding includes $250,000 to complete the playground, which will be accessible for all children, including those with special needs, as well as $150,000 for a new ADA compliant restroom and $150,000 for the installation of LED lighting for the park and surrounding grounds.

Also in attendance was Village of Rockville Centre Administrator Nancy Howard, Village Director of Community Development Suzanne Sullivan, representatives from the Rockville Centre Building Department; Martin Brull, presidentand executive director of the Tommy Brull Foundation; Michelle Sewell, president of Rockville Centre Lions Club, along with the club’s board of directors and officers; Tom Bucaria, past president of Rockville Centre Little League; and Ryan Delaney, co-founder of Backyard Players & Friends, as well as staff and members of Backyard Players & Friends.