New Life For Playground Destroyed By Fire

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Hope, coupled with a healthy dose of grit and determination, rose from the proverbial ashes in Hampton Bays as a playground destroyed by fire was rebuilt.

A ribbon cutting will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Foster Avenue playground, located at 43 Foster Avenue. Southampton Town Councilwoman Julie Lofstad and members of the Southampton town board will unveil the new toddler park.

The park designed for two-to-five year olds, features playground equipment that provides activities and sensory experiences to help grow their motor skills, strength and agility, including music panels, climbers, slides, swings and a teeter totter, town officials said.

Those in attendance are required to wear a mask and social distance.

In May, a 16-year old girl was arrested and charged in the fire that destroyed the playground, Southampton Town Police said.

Southampton Town Police and the Hampton Bays Fire Department responded to the fire; the playground was fully engulfed and fire was beginning to damage the surrounding trees, police said. The value of the playground equipment damaged due to the fire was in excess of $200,000, police said.

Lofstad, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said in May, was instrumental in getting the playground built when she was a member of the Hampton Bays Mothers Association.

"I really don't have any words at this point, except there are a lot of broken hearts in Hampton Bays right now," Lofstad wrote on Facebook in May. "But I expect we will come together, as we always do. Hugs to all of you who loved our little park. And to you ladies who made it happen, well — here we go again."

The park, she said, was originally "built by moms and the community," and was a grass roots effort, funded by bake sales, a barn raising for the equipment, the Hampton Bays Fire Department and "so many more" who helped to build the playground. Businesses donated funds and the town contributed funding and help, she said.

"It was a true labor of love," Lofstad said.

Schneiderman added in May: "People are heartbroken. But it will be rebuilt. No one was injured. There has been so much tragic loss lately. At least playgrounds can be brought back."