By Marta E. Kane

The Grants Committee of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, chaired by Dr. Jacklyn Nogan and co-chaired by Kevin Regan, has been utilizing various grants acquired by both Senator Kemp Hannon and former Assemblywoman Kate Murray (current clerk of the Town of Hempstead) to help beautify the Levittown community. The most recent measure was the dedication of a new gazebo at Veterans Park, outside the Levittown Library.

Nogan, president of the chamber in 1999, 2000 and 2001 (now immediate past president), said recently that the Grants Committee had received a $10,000 grant from Hannon in 1998 and, also in that year, received a $25,000 economic development grant from Murray in an effort to help beautify the community. An additional grant was secured by Hannon the following year for $10,000.

"We're very appreciative to Kemp Hannon and Kate Murray for getting us the monies and we're happy to make Levittown a better place to live and work. We wouldn't have been able to do it without them."

Part of the money from the first grant from Hannon and the grant from Murray went toward wooden signs which read "Welcome to Levittown," which were procured by Nogan and Regan, who designed them and had them produced by KP Signs in Levittown. One of the signs is located by Greenpoint Bank on Hempstead Turnpike and the other is expected to be put up by the triangle by OTB. Nogan explained that since that area is heavy with traffic, the town's department of transportation had to be brought in to make sure the location was safe. That sign is expected to be erected in the near future. The sign will also have a white lattice on the side, which will be designed to allow community organizations to put up their individual signs, which will be forthcoming once the sign is installed.

Some of the money secured by Hannon and Murray was also used to purchase four smaller wooden signs welcoming residents to Levittown, and three were unfortunately stolen within a week of being put up. The fourth sign was taken down to ensure that it too wasn't stolen.

In 1999, more money was used to purchase the Norway Spruce Tree that was planted at Veterans Park outside the Levittown Library. Additional funds were used to purchase lights, signs, holiday banners, etc. The Norway Spruce went up in 2001, in time for the first annual tree lighting at the new location (in years past the tree lighting took place at Greenpoint Bank). The park was selected as the new permanent home for annual tree lightings because it could serve as an official location for residents to be able to meet and hold any kind of special occasions, one of which would be the annual holiday lighting.

The other half of those grant funds was used to purchase patriotic banners which are hung throughout the community from Memorial Day until just after Veterans Day, to be replaced by holiday banners which hang from November until mid-January. The patriotic banners will then be hung again around Memorial Day since they can't be hung year-round because of wear and tear problems. This process should occur on a regular annual basis.

In 1999, Hannon secured another $10,000 grant, all under the guide of the beautification process in the community. These grants were all secured so the additional beautification projects could take place in the community, in addition to the revitalization of Hempstead Turnpike. Money from the 1999 grant was used toward purchasing a new gazebo to be located at Veterans Park, just outside the Levittown Library. The gazebo was officially dedicated last month, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local residents and officials. The gazebo was constructed with the intention that residents could use it for local gatherings, to enhance the tree lighting, for musical groups which perform at the park to have a location, for organizations who are planning to host various events, and, more simply, for residents to have a place to enjoy the park. The chamber donated the gazebo to the Town of Hempstead and the maintenance will be provided by the town. This way, all residents of Levittown can also enjoy the gazebo as it will not be restricted. The remainder of the funds from the grants will be used to construct a handicapped ramp into the structure, as well as putting in electric so lighting could be provided. Other plans include placing horticulture around the structure and a plaque with a stone to dedicate the gazebo.

"Since it's a town property, with the chamber now donating the gazebo to the town, it's accessible to all residents," Nogan said. "If we put it on any other property it may have restricted it. We wanted to make sure that the beauty of it would be available to everybody."

Nogan added that the gazebo's location is also pretty central and since it's right in front of the library, residents can take a book and read, have lunch, etc. right in the gazebo.

The gazebo is a 12 by 14-foot structure made of treated cedar. There are also benches inside and the ramp and lighting are anticipated to be installed in the spring.

Nogan added that although the process of having the gazebo constructed took a lot of time, it was all worthwhile.

She explained that there's a bidding process which has to be gone through and the whole project was regulated by the town department of parks and recreation and the department of planning and economic development through paperwork.

"It takes a lot of work but it's worth it in the end," she said. "We hope that the residents will enjoy it."

Nogan also noted that local companies were utilized wherever possible, with Levit Style Inc. laying the foundation and KP Signs making and hanging various banners. She added that they plan on using someone local to do the horticulture around the gazebo as well. She also said that all parties involved were very helpful.

"The parks department and the Town of Hempstead were more than willing to help us. They went with us every step of the way, they just made sure that everything was up to code so that it would be safe," Nogan said. "They didn't restrict us in any way and were more than willing to help. Town Supervisor Rich Guardino and Councilman Gary Hudes were also helpful in allowing us to utilize the park."