Douglas Elliman Donates $50,000 For Good Ground Park Playground

Apr 17, 2018 5:20 PM

A new playground will soon be installed at Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays thanks to a $50,000 donation from Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Southampton Town had been stalling on plans for the playground, which will be designed for children ages 5 to 11, due to a lack of funding, according to town officials. But on April 10, Carl Benincasa, a regional vice president of sales for Douglas Elliman Real Estate—and a former town attorney—presented the Town Board with a $50,000 check from his real estate firm for the playground.

“We really appreciate the partnership with Douglas Elliman,” Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said during the meeting, echoing thanks from the other four Town Board members.

He noted that previous efforts to secure grants for the playground fell short.

The town intends to install a sponsorship sign acknowledging the $50,000 donation once the playground is installed; it was not immediately clear when the equipment would be purchased and put up in the park.

“I think it’s really fantastic that they are giving back to the community in this way,” Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni said. “I think this grows community and I look forward to more public-private partnerships like this.”

The $4 million park, which is sandwiched between Montauk Highway and Squiretown Road in Hampton Bays, already has a toddler playground that was installed prior to last summer’s grand opening.

The park also features its signature amphitheater as well as benches, a water fountain and approximately 100 diagonal parking spaces along a main, two-lane entrance. Eventually, the town intends to add other amenities, including public bathrooms and hiking trails.