Cleanup underway at 9/11 memorial park in Nesconset damaged by storm

Last week's storm caused heavy damage to a 9/11 memorial park in Nesconset.

News 12 Staff

Aug 26, 2019, 4:33 PM

Updated 1,720 days ago

Share:

Last week's storm caused heavy damage to a 9/11 memorial park in Nesconset.
The 9/11 Responders Remembered Park on Smithtown Boulevard is in rough shape after multiple trees were uprooted. It caused damage to the landscape and a memorial plaque. A gazebo was also completely destroyed.
Park President Judi Simmons says she couldn't believe her eyes the morning after the storm. Her husband Martin died in 2008 due to a 9/11-related illness. He was a New York City firefighter.
"I jumped out of bed and came here and was just shocked at the amount of damage that had happened. The gazebo was unrecognizable, it was just shattered completely," she says.
Simmons says there's about $20,000 worth of damage. She hopes to have the place cleaned up and looking presentable for the park's 9/11 Reading of the Names ceremony in just a few weeks. The names of 9/11 first responders who have died in the last year will be read out loud during the ceremony.
Simmons says she does have an account that will pay for some cleanup. She says insurance covers a little.
Barry Bros. Landscaping is donating its time and labor to repair the damage, and the FealGood Foundation has pledged to cover some of the remaining costs after donations.
Part of the plan is to move a boulder with the steel beam from the Twin Towers on it over to where the gazebo used to stand, and install some benches so people have a place to sit and enjoy the park.
To donate, click here.
 


More from News 12
Police: 1 dead, another seriously injured in West Islip crash

Police: 1 dead, another seriously injured in West Islip crash

1:19
Rainy morning on Mother’s Day on Long Island, tapers by evening

Rainy morning on Mother’s Day on Long Island, tapers by evening

0:18
Police: Car crashes into Garden City Park T-Mobile store

Police: Car crashes into Garden City Park T-Mobile store

0:55
Athletes with visual impairment play charity 'beep baseball' game in Glen Cove

Athletes with visual impairment play charity 'beep baseball' game in Glen Cove

0:57
Northport Fire Department holds extrication tournament in honor of late firefighter

Northport Fire Department holds extrication tournament in honor of late firefighter

0:22
Nassau police probe shooting incident in Manhasset

Nassau police probe shooting incident in Manhasset

1:23
Light show: Severe solar storm produces spectacular auroras across the tri-state

Light show: Severe solar storm produces spectacular auroras across the tri-state

2:03
Why do Black women have the highest death rate for most cancers? A massive study in underway

Why do Black women have the highest death rate for most cancers? A massive study in underway

0:36
Nassau Supreme Court strikes down Blakeman's ban on transgender athletes competing at county-run facilities

Nassau Supreme Court strikes down Blakeman's ban on transgender athletes competing at county-run facilities

1:50
Vehicle owners say their cars are locked in repair shop since mechanic died at end of 2023

Vehicle owners say their cars are locked in repair shop since mechanic died at end of 2023

2:17
Governor plans overhaul of NY’s cannabis rollout following scathing state review

Governor plans overhaul of NY’s cannabis rollout following scathing state review

1:57
Huntington Station church minister arraigned after allegedly sexually abusing 15-year-old girl

Huntington Station church minister arraigned after allegedly sexually abusing 15-year-old girl

2:11
Stony Brook Medicine celebrates success of mobile stroke unit

Stony Brook Medicine celebrates success of mobile stroke unit

1:57
Freeport tenants say growing garbage is attracting vermin

Freeport tenants say growing garbage is attracting vermin

1:43
32 puppies complete first half of training to become service dogs

32 puppies complete first half of training to become service dogs

0:25
Police: Man arrested for exposing himself to 2 teens in East Meadow

Police: Man arrested for exposing himself to 2 teens in East Meadow

9 Kohl's on Long Island to open Babies'R'Us locations. See list of stores

9 Kohl's on Long Island to open Babies'R'Us locations. See list of stores

2:16
Paris Baguette serves up sweet treats for Mother’s Day

Paris Baguette serves up sweet treats for Mother’s Day

1:34
The Real Deal: The best deals for mom this Mother’s Day

The Real Deal: The best deals for mom this Mother’s Day

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!