The Heritage Trust is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to enhancing natural resources and the distinctive character of the surrounding communities. Educational, cultural and social events will foster appreciation for the area’s heritage. The Trust was formed to support “smart growth” and to enhance our sense of community.

Members of the Board of the Trust and all committees are volunteers. These volunteers devote the time and skills to help create a park and center that will be enjoyed now and for generations to come. (See "Volunteer")

Click here for the new Article for 2004 (PDF)
Click here for North Shore Sun Article of January 29, 2004

Heritage Trust Board of Directors

President Peter Sobel
Vice President Lori Baldassare John Leonard, Esq.
Treasurer Thomas Carbone
Secretary Amy Satchell

Advisors
Fred Drewes, Professor Emeritus SCCC
Vincent Bove
John Dennehy, CPA
Anthony M. Frasca, M.D., L. I. Anesthesia Physicians, LLP.
Janene Gentile, North Shore Youth Council
Richard Johannesen, Johannesen & Johannesen, LLP
Bill Kelly, Kelly Brothers Landscaping
Thomas J. Spota, Suffolk County District Attorney

Legal Advisor John Leonard, Esq.

Accomplishments

Most of the efforts by Trust volunteers have been spent in promoting and planning the North Shore Heritage Park and Heritage Community Center. Literally thousands of hours have been spent at hundreds of meetings since 1999. The net result is a foundation has been laid for a model regional park based on citizen action and private and governmental partnerships. As money and donations of materials and services become available the planned Center, playground, amphitheater and landscaping will become a reality rather than a vision. (See “Donate”)

• Leaders authored proposal for the development of a Central Park and led community effort to convince Suffolk County to purchase park land based upon concepts of design developed by the Trust, community and architects.
•  Obtain State Grant to buy first parcel 0.8 acres of the “wedge”.
• Promoted a park partnership with the Town of Brookhaven and initiated many of the actions needed to develop the park environment.
• Promoted and agreed to a development and management agreement with the Town of Brookhaven to enhance the park.

• Trust developed the present design of the park*.
• Raised money to fund the building of the Heritage Community Center.
• Commissioned the creation of a landscape design based upon concepts developed by the Trust.
• Planned a playground and playground environment.
• Organize community programs in partnership with community organizations held in the park like the Halloween Festival and the annual tree lighting event.
• Planting of 9,000 crocuses around the park; 5,000 form the happy face on the play knoll.
• Working with girl scouts and parents to landscape a triangle.
• Established a “Donate a Park Bench “ program and placing two handsome benches in the park

* The Town of Brookhaven agreed to develop the infra structure of the park. The Trust, Town and consultants agreed on a final design and the Town then supervised, coordinated and developed the park. Town workers, contractors and consultants completed the park as it is now. During this phase the volunteers of the Trust tried to give positive and constructive suggestions to the facets of the park being developed.

Pictures

Promoting the park and center at civic meetings.

Meeting with Brookhaven Town officials to discuss the plans and progress of the park.
Promote the creation of a multi use park.

Planning the playground and the Heritage Center

Architects Francis Campani and Michael Schwarting have been creative
and gracious in their work for the Trust and Community.

Directors Assemblyman Steve Englebright Grant of funds for the Heritage Center


Directors, Advisors of the Trust and Government Officials
at Ground breaking for the Heritage Center.

Advisor Vincent Bove (left) Director and President Peter Sobel


State Senator Ken LaValle has provided state funds for the Heritage Center
and here gives words of praise to the volunteers of the
Heritage Trust and community.

Lori Baldasssare, Vice President of the Trust, is given a proclamation of
praise from Assemblyman Steve Englebright and Senator Ken LaValle.

Fred Drewes gives lesson on crocus planting with volunteer boy scouts.

Girl Scout Troop 848 and their parents planted a triangle on a misty fall day.
The compacted soil made the job very difficult and we all learned that
more time and foot is needed to remediate the soil.