Malverne’s Westwood Park continues to only get better

By MARK Nol AN mnolan@liherald.com

Ed and Veronica Mahoney have enjoyed an extended backyard of sorts at Westwood Park in the Village of Malverne for decades.

Since moving into their home across the street from the Foster Avenue park in 1979, the Mahoneys have brought their children and now grandchildren to the park and have consistently led efforts to beautify the public space.

The village is now renovating Westwood Park, spending about $29,000 to increase accessibility for people with disabilities, among other improvements — the latest in a decades-long commitment to upgrade the park.

“When we moved here, it wasn’t even a park,” Ed Mahoney, 75, said. “It was just a drainage basin. The things we’ve done here are unbelievable.”

Mahoney, known as the unofficial “Mayor of Westwood,” gives the project a thumbs-up — especially the addition of two pickleball courts.

The latest improvements include installing irrigation to add more grass fields, removing old trees and planting new ones. The village also built a communication board with pictures and photos that nonverbal kids can use.

“Malverne is known for its overwhelming sense of inclusivity and comfort,” Mayor Tim Sullivan said. “The addition of a communication board extends our efforts to meet the needs of every resident.”

Since he served as a village trustee, Sullivan has worked at maintaining and improving Westwood Park, and said this latest effort is “taking it a step further” by making the park accessible for all kids.

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