A group of Oyster Bay citizens, interested in the management and upkeep of the land in Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Park, have formed a volunteer committee that plans to meet and keep informed about park issues.

Theodore Roosevelt Park has recently undergone some improvements, in both park security and landscape beautification. These are two issues that group member, Fran Leone, has been involved with for several years. At one point, Ms. Leone was part of an Oyster Bay Civic Association committee to revitalize TR Park. Over the last three years, not much had been happening with that committee. However, recently, park improvements have been made by the Town of Oyster Bay, such as a security person on site 24/7 from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In addition, landscaping and clean up has greatly improved, including a plan for new plantings around the flagpole.

One current issue the group, called the Citizens for the Preservation of TR Memorial Park, is concerned with is the proposal by Main Street Association to build and erect a large size carousel within the eastern zone C of the park (near the boat slips and picnic pavilions), where currently there is deeded open space, grass, and a small childrens' play set. The Citizens for TR Memorial Park feel that an alternate location, outside of established open space, should be leased or purchased for the proposed carousel.

One interesting fact concerning TR Memorial Park is the explicit language in the deed for the park. The parkland, deeded by the National Theodore Roosevelt Association, emulates Theodore Roosevelt's ideals of conservation of natural resources, appreciation of wildlife, and healthful exercise and sporting. Actually, the deed states in section 7 on liber page 582:

"No circuses, carnivals or amusements which are dependent upon mechanical operation or device shall be permitted in any part of the park, and this shall be construed to exclude, among other amusement park activities, the carousel, switch-back, ferris wheel, roller coaster and other similar mechanical amusements of a noisy variety."

The carousel proposal was made as a special presentation at a town board meeting by the Main Street Association on May 23, at a meeting running past midnight with speakers including several that were opposed to the proposal. As proposed, the carousel would be built in an educational Teddy Roosevelt theme, and was presented as 65' x 65', and 35' tall at its highest peak. The need for four to five feet of fill on the site would put the carousel peak as high as the trees.

The Citizens for TR Memorial Park advocates for open space. The group commends the T.O.B. leaders for just recently purchasing 3 acres of the Mill Pond Overlook property, to be set aside as more open space among the growing density of the hamlet of Oyster Bay. The open space grass areas of TR Memorial Park are even more precious, are historical and border the important National Oyster Bay Wildlife Refuge in Oyster Bay Harbor, the group states.

Another issue of interest to the Citizens for TR Memorial Park include the songbird wildlife in the park and the large trees in which they live as part of their migratory pattern.

Thirdly, the group is concerned about the future maintenance issues and tax burdens regarding any enhancements to the park, especially so regarding the proposed carousel. The carousel, as proposed to the town board, would support itself from ticket sales. However, hurricane season damage, or vandalism, lower the projected sales, and insurance and liability costs could increase the tax payer responsibility.

The group also states that parking, which is currently a major problem for the Hamlet of Oyster Bay, would be exacerbated by the proposed carousel and they feel that a comprehensive plan for the whole eastern waterfront should be addressed.

As Teddy Roosevelt said in an address to the National Editorial Association in Jamestown, VA, 1907:

"In utilizing and conserving the natural resources of the nation, the one characteristic more essential than any other is foresight..."

And from John Hammond's Oyster Bay Remembered, page 215, Teddy Roosevelt is quoted:

"I wish that we citizens of Oyster Bay could make here a breathing space for all the people of the neighborhood, especially the less fortunate."

The Citizens for Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Park is gathering in the park on Tuesday, July 11, 7 p.m., near the Audrey Avenue entrance. All are welcome. To contact the group, send comments by mail to PO Box 82, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771, or phone 628-2293 and leave a message.