Among the many victims of Hurricane Irene in 2011 was a gazebo in a public park in the Village of Mineola, N.Y., a New York City suburb on Long Island with about 19,000 residents. A show-mobile rented from the nearby Town of North Hempstead sufficed for some productions, but eventually a permanent stage would have to be built. Among other acts, Memorial Park hosts the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra twice a year.
As officials considered how to proceed, the Parks Department was busy maintaining the asset. One of two public spaces owned by the village, Memorial Park has two tennis courts, two war monuments, playground equipment and a spray pool, game tables and picnic tables. Bordered by the public library and police headquarters, both historic structures, the park’s been a gathering space almost since incorporation in 1906. Like the rest of the village, it has huge old trees that provide shade and beautify the space.
No matter how thoughtfully maintained, assets must eventually be updated. The department was looking to replace asphalt walkways, improve lighting, repair the tennis courts, and install park benches and trash receptacles. Through discussions with board members and the public, it was determined that residents would welcome additional concerts and theatrical presentations along with other improvements. The village decided to build a venue that could be used by the library and local schools as well.
The result is a structure and new walkways that echo the old brick of the public buildings around the park. The paths are brick pavers set on a recycled-concrete sub-base with a 4-inch concrete base. Lighting for both the amphitheater and walkways is energy-efficient LED.
These and other upgrades earned the project partners — the village as managing agency, Valente Contracting Corp. as primary contractor, and D&B Engineers and Architects as primary consultant — an American Public Works Association 2017 Project of the Year award in the Small Cities/Rural Communities: Historical Restoration/Preservation category. This award honors agencies serving communities with a population of 75,000 or less.
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Coventry’s Pawtuxet River Stabilization Project
Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair: Small Cities/Rural Communities Project of the Year.
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Eastham’s Ocean to the Bay Water System Project
Environment: Small Cities/Rural Communities Project of the Year
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Healdsburg Avenue Bridge over the Russian River Project
Historical Restoration/Preservation: Population with less than 75,000 people
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Memorial Park Amphitheatre & Park Improvements Project
Structures: Population less than 75,000.
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Concord Downtown Complete Streets Improvements Project
Transportation: Small Cities/Rural Communities Project of the Year.
