Petition Aids Good Ground Park Grant Submission

The Hampton Bays community banned together over the past six weeks to gather signatures and letters of support needed for a grant that will help fund the planning and design phase of a planned revitalization project at the 36-acre Good Ground park in Hampton Bays.

According to the Town of Southampton, the grant application was officially filed on Monday along with 200 community signatures and 45 letters of support, which the town will use to help show the state that the park, which was purchased by the town for $3.8 million in 2012, is a "major revitalization opportunity for the hamlet's Main Street."

“I think we made a strong grant application considerably more compelling because the outpouring of support from the community,” said Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst. “This is what government is really about; working with community members to get things done."

Instrumental in garnering the signatures and letters of support for the park, was the Hampton Bays Civic Association and local businesses owners, who posted posted about the project in their shop windows.


“To secure this level of support in less than six weeks time is really impressive,” said Kevin McDonald, a longtime Hampton Bays resident and member of the Good Ground Park Advisory Committee. “It took a lot of boots on the ground – and the willingness of community members to dedicate their time to drafting letters, telling friends and neighbors about the plans, and making an effort to voice their support."

Concept plans for the park, which were generated at a May meeting with the community, include an amphitheatre, playground, picnic tables and a pavilion.

Residents have also voiced support for a dog park and ice skating rink at the park, which already boasts a $123,000, 700-foot walking trail that was built by the Hampton Bays Beautification Association.

The town expects to hear back from the state on the grant's approval in December. If awarded, the town will work on a final design plan, which will be put before the public.