Politics & Government

Morgan Park Cleanup Underway

Park expected to reopen by Saturday, mayor says; Sunday's concert still on.

Cleanup crews set to work Thursday clearing of downed trees and branches from Wednesday's storm.

The damage was the worst the park had seen since Tropical Storm Irene, said Mayor Ralph Suozzi, who was at the park Wednesday evening and again Thursday afternoon to assess the damage.

Suozzi said he had spoken with two people who were at the adjacent to the park when the storm hit. He said they described a period of about three to five minutes when most of the damage occurred, with high winds beating chairs against the club's building and causing trees to sway dramatically throughout the park.

Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Manpower was provided by the city's , and the , Suozzi said. He said help has also been offered by Scott Tree Company of Glen Cove. 

About one dozen trees came down in the park due to the storm, Suozzi said, with more to be assessed for removal.

Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One tree near the ruins of the gazebo was said to be 250 years old, he said. Names, hearts and other images carved in what remained of its trunk spoke to its history in the community.

Once the fallen branches and trunks are removed, crews will do a perimeter check for loose branches and other dangerous conditions. Suozzi sad he expects the park will be able to be declared safe and reopened by Saturday, in time for Sunday's concert by Eagles tribute band Hotel California.

Suozzi said he spoke with a number of people who stopped by the park Wednesday night to see the damage and share their memories.

One of those people was the during the storm when a tree fell on her vehicle just outside the park. Suozzi said she praised Glen Cove EMS members and other responders who aided her.

Capital funds already approved for the park will be used to replant trees and replace the gazebo, said Suozzi, and the city is accepting donations for the effort. Some have already been offered, he said.

"I always wanted to do fundraising for the park when I first became mayor," he said. "This is a catalyst to bring that idea back to the forefront."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here