This past weekend, Firemen's Field was wonderfully used by the community. If you work in Oyster Bay during the week - you probably never get a chance to see Firemen's Field being used to its fullest in this very busy community. Last weekend, Firemen's Field was used in the way in which only a great community asset can be taken advantage.

Firemen's Field has been ignored by the powers that be at Town of Oyster Bay for the past 25 years at least - that we have been covering the area. The parking stripes are almost invisible. There are no trees or benches lining the streets. It's as if the town fathers said, "The hamlet ends at the loading dock of the Oyster Bay Post Office." The town has said their employees can park around town hall - just like any business allows their workers to do, and refuse the suggestion that they should park at Firemen's Field and not behind Town Hall where parking should go to customers of the local stores. That suggestion was reiterated by Dan Burden of Walkable Communities when he visited Oyster Bay for the third time in March.

Years ago, when we were first a member of the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, we suggested to solve the parking problems in the hamlet, that the chamber should donate trees to Firemen's Field and make it "The Place to Park" in the hamlet. We suggested chamber members should park there and use a sunshield that stated, "We are parking in Firemen's Field to save parking for customers."

We think that would have made a great difference in the downtown area. Unfortunately the chamber opted to use their funds to build attractive garbage containers. They were made of wood and had a section on top for flowers, were constructed locally, and were tasteful, but didn't solve that litter problem for very long either.

Currently Firemen's Field is being proposed as the location for the Theodore Roosevelt Museum but it is a decision that we think needs a great deal of consideration. If you look at a map of the hamlet you will see that the house lots are small [and "Packed like sardines," as Charlie Doering said] and the only open space in the hamlet is Firemen's Field.

Last weekend the Fifth Battalion Parade and Drill (and party) took place on Firemen's Field. The events were hosted by the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company No. 1. We are proud to say that the Atlantic Steamer team won the drill events.

They brought all the Fifth Battalion companies to Oyster Bay. The event started at 9 a.m. and ended at 11 p.m. We stopped by to take a few photographs, and had a great sausage, pepper and onions sandwich on a crusty roll - perfect- from their food stand. They were selling souvenirs and refreshments from tents set up near Maxwell Avenue. The field was packed with cars, and people were watching the parade and cheering their favorites. After we took photographs we headed up Maxwell Avenue and saw people heading down to Firemen's Field carrying folding chairs to watch the parade and stay to hear the music. They were taking part in another traditional event in Oyster Bay.

On Sunday the "Battle by the Bay" brought lacrosse teams from all over the area to compete on Roosevelt Field. Just as Steven DeGraff and his committee to commemorate veterans wanted - the cars parked in Firemen's Field.

As the lacrosse families were leaving the area, the carnival was being set up by workers to get ready for the St. Rocco Festival that opens on Wednesday night and draws community members to Firemen's Field for five days, ending on Sunday. On Wednesday evening the field will be filled with people watching the fireworks set up in Roosevelt Field.

This is a community that is kept friendly and warm by the opportunity to gather together in our large open space called Firemen's Field. You could call it by its original name, the Oyster Bay War Memorial Field, too. But whatever you call it - it is a treasured resource that keeps the quality of life in the hamlet of Oyster Bay one to be admired. This truly is a unique community and we think Firemen's Field is truly one of the "Secret Treasure of Oyster Bay." It promotes getting together in the way a town square does.

We need it, let's save it, let's work to preserve it. - DFK