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Partly Cloudy Crosswalks in Oyster Bay will get a makeover
In a bid to revitalize and enhance the Oyster Bay business district, the town board has announced ambitious plans to improve its walkways and to beautify the downtown. With a $750,000 investment, the project will prioritize safety and aesthetics in the interest of making Oyster Bay a premier destination on Long Island.
The focus will be on upgrading a dozen crosswalks, which will have stamped concrete patterns resembling red bricks, and the installation of new curb ramps. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino emphasized the importance of the enhancements in improving the town’s walkability and promoting its businesses.
“These pavers and crosswalks will certainly enhance the downtown, bringing more safety, continuity and a better look,” Saladino said. “It adds to my vision of creating historic tourism in our town and the whole renaissance in downtown Oyster Bay.”
The project’s funding, a state memorandum grant, will help the town further its commitment to creating a vibrant and inviting environment for residents and visitors. Carl Marcelino, a former state senator in the state’s 5th District, played a pivotal role in securing the grant, according to Saladino, to help foster growth and development in Oyster Bay.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Saladino said that the project aligns with the town’s broader vision of promoting walkability, accessibility and a sense of community.
“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,” he said. “So the connectivity, the ability to have this area that leads by the eye from parking in Fireman’s Field, walking to the different attractions, it’s brought about a connectivity that is stellar, that Theodore Roosevelt would be very proud of.”
The selection of crosswalks that have been selected for the project underscores the town’s intent to improve connectivity and accessibility downtown. They include key intersections, including Audrey and Maxwell avenues, Shore and Audrey avenues and Spring Street, that route pedestrian traffic to popular attractions and businesses.
The project dovetails with previous revitalization efforts, such as the transformation of Fireman’s Field into a green, eco-friendly space. By linking these improvements to existing amenities and parking facilities, Saladino explained, the town will give visitors a centralized starting point to explore the offerings downtown.
The pavers and other decorative elements will not only improve the aesthetic appeal of the crosswalks, but also reinforce Oyster Bay’s identity as a historic and culturally rich destination. By blending modern amenities with the town’s storied past, the enhancements will add a new sense of vibrancy.
“I know that it will be a great asset to the downtown, because it’ll help highlight our existing crosswalks,” Meredith Maus, executive director of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, said. “It’ll add to the safety and visibility of those crosswalks and add to the overall walkability of our downtown.”
Construction will begin in May and continue through late spring or summer.
According to Saladino, with each improvement, the town edges closer to realizing its vision of becoming a premier destination for tourism, commerce and community life. As pedestrians traverse the newly enhanced crosswalks, they’ll not only find them safe and convenient, but also have a sense of pride in the town’s ongoing transformation.
“These pavers add to the many great reasons to visit Oyster Bay,” Saladino said. “It’s quickly becoming one of the best destinations for tourism, for education and for wellness.”
