New Splash Park unveiled in Island Park

Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato and family opened the Antoinette & Armand D’Amato Splash Park on Masone Beach on June 29.

Over a hundred people, many of them parents with young children, came to the opening. The park, named after the Senator’s parents, is a gift from the Antoinette & Armand D’Amato Family Foundation.

After the speeches, Msgr. John J. Tutone blessed the park with holy water.

Then D’Amato’s children, Alfonso and Luciana, pressed a button, releasing water and officially opening the splash park. Scores of children ran onto the new park and water started spraying everywhere.

“You hear those screams? You hear that laughter? That’s it,” Senator D’Amato said.

Naomi Fallon of Island Park was there with her two daughters, Delia, 8, and Riley, 6. She came to the opening to “enjoy the park with our children, who will be spending many days here.”

“Armand D’Amato was a dear friend of my family’s and you have to give back to people who give,” said Eric Miranda, who grew up in Island Park.