Southampton Town Awarded $943,000 in Grants for Good Ground Park
Southampton Town is the recipient of two 2014 Regional Economic Development Grant Awards from New York State totaling $943,000, and both grants are designated for developing Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays.
“The community support for this project has been tireless and long standing,” Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said. “It is indeed an exciting day to see that level of community support rewarded by these grant awards.”
One grant for $500,000, issued through the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department, will be used to subsidize downtown revitalization in Hampton Bays as well as construction of an amphitheater, site preparation and landscaping for the park.
The second grant—for $443,000 through the Empire State Development Office—supports the revitilization efforts associated with Good Ground Park. The grant announcements describes Good Ground Park as a “key element in an ongoing downtown revitalization effort and is envisioned as the downtown anchor that will increase economic activity and livability within the central business district.”
“I am thrilled that Hampton Bays is one giant step closer to fulfilling its dream of having a park in its hamlet center,” said Marion Boden, a member of the Hampton Bays Civic Association. “The land was purchased over a decade ago but it was the current Town Board and others who finally saw to it that this plan did not languish. Good Ground Park will add to the vitality of our hamlet and its businesses, and bring great joy to citizens throughout the town, especially with its beautiful amphitheater.”