About a dozen families from the Williston Park area participated in the village’s second annual “Children’s Parade for a Safer Williston Park” early Tuesday night as part of the village’s observance of National Night Out.
The families assembled at the intersection of Broad and Brown Streets at 7 p.m. and proceeded to Kelleher Field led by a Williston Park Fire Truck and escorted by Nassau County Police and Williston Park Auxiliary Police.
Members of the Williston Park Neighborhood Watch gathered at the field to support the event and distribute ices to everyone who turned out for the event.
“We have three children. It’s always nice to get them out in the street and teach them to ride their bikes. It’s a nice controlled environment,” Williston Park resident Matt Sarosy said.
National Association of Town Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of neighborhood watch groups, first established National Night Out in 1984 to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, according to the group’s web site.
“Anything that gets the community together is good,” Village of Williston Park Deputy Mayor Kevin Rynne said.
At Kelleher Field, former Williston Park Mayor Doreen Ehrbar gave certificates to everyone who rode or walked in parade to recognize their participation.
“It’s a great event,” said Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar.
Children at the event rode bicycles and – in some cases – rode in strollers in the parade. They eagerly lined up for the free ices at the end of the parade.
“It’s so nice that all the children come out. It’s important for the families to be together,” said Rosemarie Farrar, a village Neighborhood Watch block captain since 1962.
“It shows that we watch out for each other,” Neighborhood Watch captain Kay Paruchabutr said.
Williston Park resident Vivan Lew said she brought her 4-year-old daughter Kyra to the parade “to be part of the community.”
Her daughter stood next to her mother wearing a purple bicycle helmet topped by a tiara, intently eating her chrerry ice as her mother spoke.
“The kids wanted to do the ride,” Williston Park resident Christine Bertrand said.
Local residents Charles and Tara Wells said they came out to support Neighborhood Watch and let their three children have some fun.
“The kids love to come out and see the parade,” Tara Wells said.
State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) said the parade reflected the character of the Williston Park community.
“This is all about a community releasing itself, taking care of itself,” Martins said. “This is family looking after its brothers and sisters.”
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
