Walkway improvements make Oyster Bay a walkable hamlet

The Town of Oyster Bay is making significant strides in improving the safety and aesthetics of the hamlet’s downtown area with a $750,000 pedestrian and beautification project that includes upgrades of crosswalks and sidewalks. The project, which is expected to be completed this month, aims to enhance walkability, increase pedestrian safety, and boost the local economy by making the downtown more inviting for residents and visitors alike.

The project will include the installation of stamped-concrete crosswalks with a red brick pattern at key intersections. The improvements are being made at a dozen crosswalks, including those at Audrey and Maxwell avenues, Shore Avenue and Audrey, and several near Town Hall on Audrey. The upgrades also include new curb ramps, making the sidewalks more accessible for all.

“Over the past several years, my administration upgraded Fireman’s Field and implemented streetscape improvements in areas of the downtown, installing decorative lighting and brick paver strips along the curb line,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said in a statement provided by town spokesman Brian Nevin. “Now, we are moving forward with more investments in decorative crosswalks at all intersections to replace the existing painted crosswalks. This project will help beautify our downtown and create a safe zone for pedestrians and bicyclists that motorists can both see and feel, which should encourage lower speeds.”

The enhancements are intended to create a consistent and recognizable theme for the downtown area, improving both its function and appearance.

The funding for the project comes from state grants and town capital funds, with $500,000 provided by the state and the remainder covered by the town — part of a broader effort by the town to revitalize its downtown areas and make them more pedestrian-friendly.

Meredith Maus, executive director of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the hamlet’s historic character while enhancing its vibrancy, expressed her enthusiasm about the project and its potential impact on the community.

“Walkability really is a large portion of what we try to do, because you’re trying to create a connected, safe, walkable downtown,” Maus said. “The more that people walk in the downtown, the more they frequent the shops, which only serves the community better overall.”

She emphasized that the visibility of the new crosswalks is a critical factor in improving pedestrian safety. The red brick pattern, Maus noted, not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the area, but also serves as a visual cue for drivers as well as pedestrians, helping to increase awareness and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

“Having something that better highlights where you should be yielding is a great way to break up the monotony and make you more conscious as a driver,” she said.

The current project follows previous improvements made by the town, including the recent transformation of Fireman’s Field, a once-neglected parking lot that has been turned into a more attractive and environmentally friendly space. The $3.6 million renovation of the field included the addition of lighting and greenery to make the area more pedestrian-friendly as well as improved drainage.

All of the work is part of an effort by the town to make the downtown more cohesive and inviting, and to create a stronger connection to the waterfront. Maus emphasized that the projects, each significant on its own, are even more impactful when considered together as part of a broader vision for downtown revitalization.

“These projects are great in and of themselves, but it’s also so important to see them in the context of what the culmination of these investments means for our downtown,” Maus said. “Prior to Fireman’s Field being done, there wasn’t a great feeling walking down Shore Avenue from the post office all the way to the western waterfront, but now it’s an incredibly inviting, beautiful area. People feel comfortable parking there now, and it all just goes to the betterment of the downtown.”

She added that the downtown investment will hopefully yield significant benefits for local businesses, by making the area more accessible and attractive to shoppers and tourists. The upgraded crosswalks are designed to encourage walking, which in turn supports economic activity by increasing foot traffic at local shops and restaurants.

“We were extremely excited,” Maus said of the town’s decision to move forward with the upgrades. “It’s definitely an investment that the town had been looking to make for a little while, and we were so happy that they were able to secure those funds and make that happen for our downtown.”