Historic oyster vessel Town to upgrade fields at Robbins Lane Park

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that it will soon upgrade playing fields at Robbins Lane Park. As part of park improvements, the full artificial turf field will be replaced, which includes setup for soccer and lacrosse for various age groups.

“These important upgrades will enhance the overall playing experience for young athletes and others who use these fields, which is why the Town Board and I have been making field improvements a top priority throughout all communities,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “These upgrades are being achieved in the most cost-effective way while bringing added enjoyment to all who use them.”

Artificial turf fields have a general useful life of up to 10 years, however they are less expensive than the long-term cost

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Members of the Town of Oyster Bay Board recently joined the Christeen Oyster Sloop Preservation Corporation, The Waterfront Center, and hundreds of neighbors to officially launch a replica of the historic Ida May oyster vessel into North Shore Waters. This launch is the culmination of a decades-long effort to build a full-scale replica of the Ida May, one of the first ever engine-powered oyster dredges to serve our local waters.

“We gather in celebration to launch the newly constructed Ida May oyster vessel for the first time,” Supervisor Saladino said. “After her retirement in 2003, the Oyster Bay community came together to ensure the legacy of the Ida May would live on for generations to come. The Christeen Oyster Sloop Preservation created a vision to preserve her history: completely rebuilding the Ida May and using the replica as a “floating class- room” to teach residents about Oyster Bay. That vision becomes reality today.”

Originally built in 1925, the Ida May was one of the first ever engine-powered oyster dredges of her time. She served the local waters of the North Shore for over 75 years, but was too damaged to be restored.

“Together, we thank the Christeen Oyster Sloop Preser-

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