Bay Park Civic Association

The first meeting of the Bay Park Civic and Property Owner’s Association was held on June 24, 1927. At that time Daniel B. Busch was mayor of the association, and his term went for about fifteen years. Many meetings were held in homes, as well as the school and the fire house and only in late Spring, Summer & early Fall.  Now, as in 20’s and 30’s, the meetings burn the midnight oil in times of great decision and meet 12 months a year.

In the days before the Railroad, East Rockaway was the point of contact for commerce for New York City. With the advent of the railroad all this was changed. Many other villages sprang up and Bay Park was presented as a summer community with bungalows built by the Hewlett Bay Homes, Inc. “20 miles from Broadway”. At that time Mayor Busch and his board were instrumental in getting the railroad schedule and the two station stops. They coincided with the bus service route that transported people from south of Lawrence to the railroad station. Also, the officers and board were instrumental in getting direct mail delivery to the Bay Parkers at their homes in those days.

Unfortunately, theirs was a cause divided and, on February 4, 1941, the first meeting of the Association of Property Owners of The East Side of the Grand Canal was held. Throughout the first 14 years the association was called as we are today. At the 1941 date with legal avenues there were now two associations. However on June 21, 1947 the Bay Park Civic Association met, unified as one east and west, north and south.

There were problems with street construction, the bridge over the Grand canal, street lighting, the lifeguards for the beach, money for the treasury, and, at that time, cesspool disposal. There was a yearly Bay Park Journal that was published each year for 18 Years with the Who’s Who in Bay Park. (These were the Members who held together their officers and association.) Then there arose a sewer plant and Head of Canal Memorial, much of which we still do today.

From these beginning times, the success story of what we have today is attributed to such names as Daniel Busch, William Warren Dimmick, Thomas Crowe, Roy C. Bullard, John O’Neill and many more. Then came those of the late 1940’s and 1950’s: Henry Southoff, the renowned Marie Altman, Sea Heenam, Frederick Weiss, John Papas, Paul Apostolicism and those of that era who we cannot find. Heading into the 60’s & 70’s many of the above plus Frank Redman, the loveable Sunshine twins Helena and Patty, Louise Gleason, Edie Mueller, Lou DeCastro, Marie Abruzzo, Marge Watkins, Jo Brandon, Betsy & John Kennedy, Joel & Linda Palazzolo, Edwina Duncan, Phyllis Raugusa, Betty and Lou Guarnieri, & Joan Hertling.

Of course, in those days there was always the wonder, Jack Brennan who, with his history and legal knowledge, enabled us to continue in the steps of our forefathers. Jack led Bay Park and the fire commissioners for close to four decades. Jack is looking down on us saying “I told you it could be done!”

Our current president, Richard Brennan is Jack’s son!