Inc. Village of Floral Park
Board of Trustees Reports
June 30, 2020
Floral Park Police Department – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
Recently, the Floral Park Police Department reported that three cars were left unlocked with keys inside the cars. The cars were stolen and then recovered. I would like to thank the Floral Park Police Department who with the NYPD were able to make two arrests related to the car thefts. I would like to remind residents to please lock their cars and not leave their keys in their cars to help secure their vehicles. Thank you.
Recreation and Pool Departments – Trustee Pombonyo
The recreation season is underway at our parks, fields and playgrounds. Organized sports, such as Floral Park Little League and adult softball, are expected to open, some with team practices, the week of July 6th. At this time, volleyball and basketball are still on hold due to the challenges of social distancing in these games. Please remember that Leisure Passes or Pool Passes are required to use all recreation facilities. Village residents may pick up a free Leisure Pass at the Pool Building between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm daily. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. For information and a Leisure Pass application, go to our fpvillage.org website, Recreation Center, or call 516-326-6334.
Three days and counting until the opening of our Village pool on Friday, July 3rd! Over 2100 pool members have already registered and are making reservations for their swims during the upcoming 4th of July weekend. Members are encouraged to use our ReCPro reservations system to reserve your swim sessions (either 9 am to 2:30 pm or 3:30 to 9pm). Reservation instructions by computer and phone are linked to our fpvillage.org homepage. Pool memberships are still available, and those who are eligible Village residents and prior nonresident members must register first. Registration information is also linked to our fpvillage.org homepage. As the summer progresses and we confirm our pool membership numbers and assess swimming availability in accordance with our 50% maximum occupancy safety measures, we will use feedback and begin to make decisions regarding guest passes, exercise and other programs. Stay tuned for further details. We look forward to seeing you at our park, playground and pool for the Summer 2020 season. Please remember that masks are required to enter all of our recreation facilities, and social distancing must be observed at all times.
Conservation Society – Trustee Pombonyo
Whether it’s to take a walk, admire nature, or volunteer your gardening services, Centennial Gardens is the perfect place to spend some time this summer. The hours are noon to 5pm daily. To join our growing groups of dedicated volunteers, visit the Gardens website at fpgarden.org and complete the Volunteer Form, or check out the Floral Park Centennial Gardens facebook page or Instagram and send a private message. Thanks to all our extraordinary Conservation Society members and new volunteers for their passion and hard work that make our Gardens Floral Park’s own unique treasure.
Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Pombonyo
As our restaurants, shops and businesses reopen, please join your neighbors and friends as they SHOP, DINE AND TAKE OUT LOCAL. Thanks to all for your outpouring of support for our Chambers of Commerce and business districts in Floral Park and Stewart Manor.
Third Track – Trustee Cheng
Trustee Cheng is happy to report that the lighting issue at the Linden Avenue Tunnel is resolved and will be open until 10 pm every night effective immediately. Please continue to check the Village website for any updates.
Library – Trustee Chiara
At the Floral Park Library, the lobby service hours have now been extended to Monday thru Friday 10am to 5pm. Book delivery service from other libraries has been restored as of tomorrow July 1st, so more books will be available for pick up and drop off in the Library lobby.
Reservations are being accepted for use of the public computers at the Library. Patrons must call and speak with a librarian to reserve a computer. Currently there are three computers available, which are socially distanced from each other. Patrons must come in on their assigned times, staff will allow them in and all must wear masks or facial coverings. Other programs being offered are: Managing Stress in These Time Through Meditation; Chair Yoga, and a July 4th PartyArt craft.
Our library trainee, Kelly Hernandez, came up with a great idea to give all of us a break from staring at your computer screens, called “Letters to the Library”. She is asking patrons to share anecdotes, poems, drawings or small works of art via “snail mail” to present your creativeness out on display. The Library plans to create a COVID-19 pandemic scrapbook documenting the community’s experiences, hopes, thoughts, feelings and lighter moments during our time apart. Submissions will be shared on the Library’s Facebook page to help inspire each other and bring everyone together.
When the Library fully re-opens copies of the scrapbook will be shared with our patrons. This is just another example of how the Floral Park Library staff has been so creative during these very different times. They are doing so much to keep our residents active, engage and connected. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do!
Building Department – Trustee Chiara
The Building Department is doing a great job preparing all of the Village facilities for their eventual re-opening. Safety is of paramount concern for all our employees and residents who visit these facilities. The Building Department will be opening its doors back to the public on Monday, July 6th. Only one person will be allowed in at time to practice safe distancing. As a reminder all building permit forms are online. Please use the online process whenever possible.
CREW – Trustee Chiara
On Wednesday July 8th, the Coalition of Resources, Education and Wellness (CREW) will be sponsoring a jam session at the Rec. Center. The session will be from 7pm to 8:30pm. Local songwriter, musician and author, Marco Conelli, will share his experience with all that attend. So come on down with your instruments to jam with fellow musicians, get tips on how to write songs and possibly perform at an open mic night.
Please see the flyer on our Village website for details.
I would like to wish all our residents a Happy and safe 4th of July. Please stay healthy and safe during these very different times.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Longobardi
Mayor Longobardi reported that it has been an interesting time. Floral Park is a full-service Village and re-opening requires a lot of planning and effort. Thank you to all who have been working so hard to get all of this done. There have many changes in the past few weeks like planning and re-opening outdoor dining and preparing Village facilities for public access. Village Hall will re-open tomorrow morning at 8:30 am to the public with CDC guideline capacity rules in the Village Hall lobby being followed. The Building Department is re-opening on Monday, July 6th. I am very happy to report that the Floral Park Pool is opening on Friday, July 3rd at 9 am. We are seeing many pool-goers register and that is great. With reduced pool registration rates being offered to residents, we will experience pool revenue losses this year and the Board and staff are working on ways to recover funds from the federal, state and county levels to mitigate any losses incurred. Hopefully, more people will sign up in the next few days. It will be fun but very different this year. You will need to bring your own chairs, socially distance and attendees will be wearing masks on the deck, but it will be fun to be outside. Stay safe and please take advantage of all that the Pool has to offer.
Plans are being made for an Opening Day Little League Caravan Parade for our youth on July 11, 2020. Thank you to Rich Provost and the Little League Board for organizing all of this special event. All of the different Village departments and committees are working very hard to plan special summer happenings like our Conservation Society in Centennial Gardens and the Recreation Department. Thank you to the Police and Fire Departments for always being our first response to crises and for ensuring that plans are in place to make everyone safe and secure. And to the staff for always keeping everyone’s safety and high levels of service in mind.
I would like to thank all of the residents for their cooperation during these different times and I wish everyone a very happy and healthy, safe 4th of July. Enjoy it as much as you possibly can. Thank you.
Regards,
Susan E. Walsh, RMC
Village Clerk
One Floral Blvd.
Floral Park, NY 11001
516 326-6300 Fax. 516 326-2734
