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OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK GUIDE
Look what’s
Happening
Island Park
community shines through darkness
W
Christina Daly/Herald
Top Photo: The Island Park village board teamed up with DaVinci’s Pizzeria to deliver food to Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital workers in April during the peak of the pandemic. Lana Delgado prepared to serve the workers. Courtesy Dolores Hofman
Middle Photo: The coronavirus didn’t stop Dolores Hofman from throwing her husband, Edward, a surprise 75th birthday party in March. Courtesy Bella Voyage Photography
Bottom Photo: Though they had to postpone their wedding on April 4, Rubie Lubold and her fiance, Mike Finck, had their photo taken to mark the occasion, along with Lubold’s children, Maya and Charlie. Island Park resident Nicole Gubelli organized photo shoots at community members’ homes from a safe social distance.
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ith a population hovering around 4,000, Island Park is a small place with a big community spirit. Much as residents came together in the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, Island Parkers stuck together through the coronavirus, organizing groups to support front-line workers and local businesses, making masks and banding together to make sure the community spirit shined in a dark time. “This pandemic, while horrific, is a remarkable tribute to Island Parkers,” Mayor Michael McGinty said. “It would be impossible to mention everyone who has sent me a text or called me on the phone simply asking, “How can I help?” The beauty and kindness shines through, and I am reminded how united we are as a unique village sharing this journey together.” As one of the communities hardest hit in Hurricane Sandy, Island Park has bounced back better than ever, with new and refurbished businesses and residential properties opening on a regular basis, even adapting on-the-fly to curbside pick-up and a takeout-only model after the pandemic hit. Each Memorial Day during normal circumstances, the village is festooned with flags, thanks to local merchants, and the parade winds through the community, greeted by flag-waving children. Though things were different this year, homes and businesses were still lined with flags to show pride. The village sponsors multiple recreational programs at Masone Beach, plus concerts and movies, and its gazebo can be rented for special occasions. Masone also features grills for cooking, a spray park, a playground, rentable beach chairs, a concession and merchandise stand and much more: enough for a family to spend an entire summer Saturday or Sunday there. There has even been the occasional wedding. Over at the Town of Hempstead’s Shell Creek Park, there are tennis, baseball and additional playground facilities, rounding out the area’s recreational facility. In fall, Sacred Heart Church organizes its annual San Gennaro Festival, the status of which remains uncertain, and the Island Park Chamber of Commerce sponsors a trick-or-treat event at which little ghosts and goblins can “scare” local merchants. The chamber was particularly vital during the pandemic, supporting struggling businesses and hosting an #IPCares initiative, for which it purchased $50 gift cards from dozens of Island Park businesses and hosted a trivia contest to award them to residents. In winter, community members turn out again to light the village menorah and decorate a Christmas tree on the new Village Green at the former Village Hall site. Island Park’s Civic Association holds its annual “Love Your Troops” dance in February, and proceeds support members of the military. And In spring, the Kiwanis Club organizes its pancake breakfast. Year-round, there is a plethora of activities for people of all ages — even virtually.
