Massapequa Park residents recently rejected Mayor James Altadonna's proposal to develop Clausen Plaza, a memorial triangle at Park Blvd. and Lakeshore Dr.

Altadonna said he wanted to go forward with the renovations because the triangle had fallen into disrepair. The improvements would have included paving a path with bricks imprinted with people's names, the installation of a few benches and an outdoor arbor, and generally cleaning up the overgrowth.

Before going through with the repairs, which were scheduled to begin in late spring, Altadonna notified over 200 residents near the park and arranged for a public hearing at Village Hall March 24 so people could voice their concerns.

At the hearing, over 20 village residents complained that the development of the park, which currently houses a statue of a local World War II Medal of Honor winner, would turn the park into a potential hangout for rowdy teenagers and loiterers.

Joanne Contesini, who lives across the street from the park, echoed these concerns. "Teenagers are magically going to appear after midnight. They are going to see a place like that and they are going to think it is home, sweet home." She said there is already a problem with teenagers hanging out underneath the trees in the park and using it as a drinking spot, and that the proposed renovation would only exacerbate the problem.

Lance Alter, who also lives across the street with his family, had many of the same ideas. "I think the concept of reorganizing the area is a great concept, but I think if you attract people to go there and sit down and use it as a loitering space, that is unacceptable."

After hearing these concerns, Altadonna opted not to go through with the project. "When I took office, I made a promise to the residents and to myself. If people don't want something, we're not going to do it," he said. "I always have good ideas, but sometimes, after you talk to the residents, they are not such good ideas after all. That's why I was elected - to do what the people want."

According to Village Administrator Peggy Caltabiano, "[The public response] took us very much by surprise." Instead of the proposed renovations, she said, the village now intends only to clean up the area, trimming trees and shrubbery and possibly planting some wildflowers, but essentially leaving it as it is. "We just want to dress it up a little as an entrance to the village," she said.