Riverhead Town officially celebrated the opening of permanent bathroom facilities at Veterans Memorial Park today — an improvement two-decades in the making.
The bathrooms are located next to the Peconic Ice Rinks on the east side of the property, past the main parking lot and bike trail.
“This afternoon, we officially celebrate the opening of the new public restroom facilities — something that may seem simple, but represents a big step forward for the comfort and usability of this park,” Council Member Ken Rothwell said.
Rothwell thanked town staff members who had a hand in creating the bathrooms, especially Deputy Town Attorney Annemarie Prudenti and Town Engineer Ken Testa, who he said worked tirelessly to get the project completed.
Town officials made the bathroom project a priority after agreeing to host an ice rink facility at the park, which was built, donated and operated by the Peconic Hockey Foundation. The town committed to providing bathrooms in its agreement with the nonprofit.
The sanitary system for the bathrooms was built to service future bathroom facilities at Veterans Memorial Park. The Town Board has allocated a total of $828,500 towards the sanitary system and bathroom facility.
Rothwell also announced that 18 new cherry blossom trees have been planted at the park. The trees are part of a program started last fall to honor veterans and fallen soldiers while beautifying the grounds.
The cherry blossom trees and markers are a “reminder that this is more than just a park. It is sacred ground, a living memorial,” Rothwell said. “Each tree represents a life of service, some of sacrifice, and all of love for country.”
Each tree was purchased by the family of the service member, and includes a granite stone marker bearing the name and branch of service of the veteran to whom it is dedicated. Rothwell thanked Town Board Coordinator Diane Tucci for coordinating the program.
| PRIOR COVERAGE: In tribute to veterans, Riverhead dedicates first cherry blossom trees planted in their honor at Veterans Memorial Park |
The Riverhead Recreation Department also installed four new picnic tables near the bathrooms.
“I think I love it,” said Jeriann Bodensky, who purchased two memorial trees and markers — one for her husband and one for her father. “You can use the park now. Before there was nothing here. Now we can use it and it’s really beautiful.”
Bodensky and other family members who purchased memorial trees and markers were invited by Rothwell to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Members of Riverhead’s Veterans Advisory Committee and Recreation Advisory were also in attendance.
The new trees and markers recognized during the ceremony were dedicated to the following veterans:
US Army
- Martin John Bodensky
- William Cohen
- Russell H. Cornell
- Peter Krajewski
- Stephen J. Patterson
- Paul Trefimovich
- Richard S. Olsen (Army National Guard)
US Navy:
- Joseph Francis Comiskey
- Robert Davis Jr.
- William Friszolowski
- Francis “Frank” Friszolowski
- Vincent Gianna
- Vincent L. Gianna
- Jan J. Haupt
- Peter A. “Andy” Krajewski
- Frank David Macksel
- Jerome Edgar Shaw
The Riverhead Rotary Club also purchased a memorial plaque on behalf of all rotarians who have served.
Veterans Memorial Park “is becoming what it’s always hoped to be: a place of pride, peace and purpose,” Rothwell said. “A space where communities can gather memories to be honored and stories to be told.”
Supervisor Tim Hubbard and Council Member Joann Waski also thanked the families who participated in the tree memorial program and remarked about how they improve the park’s beauty.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Hubbard said. “I commented when I first got here, I can’t wait to see this two and three years from now, when these cherry trees mature a little bit and the blossoms come out, we’re going to be the Washington, DC of the northeast.”
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