The Beautification Project at the Stony Brook Train Station
In 2022, the Three Village Community Trust, along with the North Shore Garden Club began discussions to beautify the Stony Brook Train Station. Joining this initiative were the Three Village Civic Association, the Three Village Chamber of Commerce the North Suffolk Garden Club, the Three Village Historical Society and students and faculty at the Stony Brook School. It was agreed that many of the landscaped beds at the Station were overgrown with invasive and non-native plants, and there was a need to do a major ‘house cleaning.’
Central to these discussions was the commitment by our local organizations to maintain the grounds at the station, and the North Suffolk Garden Club’s desire to engage in a project to honor the legacy of famed landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted on the bicentennial year of his birth. The talks led to the Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Committee – a coalition of local individuals and organizations brainstorming, planning, and fundraising for the improvement of the station’s grounds.
Spearheading the effort were Herb Mones, president of the Three Village Community Trust and the Land Use Chair of the Three Village Civic Association, and North Suffolk Garden Club members Leighton Coleman III and Frances Pistell. Legislator Kara Hahn and Legislative Aide Alyssa Turano advised on the plans developed and networked with the LIRR on the committee’s direction. The Three Village Chamber of Commerce helped to move the project forward by making important recommendations.
As planning progressed, the garden club committed significant funds to the project. And the civic association was able to obtain a small grant from PSEG. The committee was fortunate to find a local resident and landscape designer – Emily Riley- to help ‘vision’ a new site plan. And, giving the entire project a boost was Steve Antos, owner of Setauket Landscape and Design, who’s enthusiasm and creativity – and crew – helped throughout the project.
Starting in the summer of 2022, and continuing throughout this year, invasive vines and weeds have been removed, dead and diseased trees taken out, new mulch added, and hundreds of Long Island native plantings added to the landscaped beds. Rocks and boulders have been added to the site, as well as a new stone walkway.
The Town’s Highway Department, under the direction of Supervisor Daniel Losquadro, helped assist in debris removal. Councilman Jonathan Kornreich keep the station project ‘on track’ by making key recommendations.
None of the work could have been completed without the help of the Port Jefferson Station Manager Ronald Kessler. Mr. Kessler proverd to be easily accessible, highly cooperative and at the forefront of helping the beautification project!
As part of their efforts, the Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Committee held an opening reception, in December 2023, of a very special art installation created by local artist Michael Rosengard at the Station titled ‘All Aboard – Home For The Holiday.’ This outdoor work of art, located outside the front entrance of the historic Stony Brook Station House, created a sense of wonder and whimsy to those walking or driving past the Station, highlights the history and importance of the Long Island Rail Road, celebrating the accomplishments of the Beautification Project, and kicking off the Holiday Season.
Some Background:
The Stony Brook Train Station was built in 1873 as a one story depot.
In the early 1990’s, the train station’s grounds were improved during the building of a new station platform. The local civic association advised the LIRR on the addition of landscaped beds and tree plantings. The civic association understood the importance of plantings to screen the new, elevated concrete platform from view. Parking in the immediate area of the station has always been limited to allow for a green space to enhance the historic character of the Three Villages. The station building was renovated in 2018 with new gutters, trim and paint.
The Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project is an effort to improve the three landscaped beds close to the station house. These landscaped beds, planted thirty years ago, need to be updated, as the current area is overgrown and does not accurately reflect the community.
This committee represents the various constituents in our community who see the beatification of the train station as a positive statement about the Three Villages. The committee consists of the North Suffolk Garden Club, the Three Village Civics Association, the Three Village Community Trust, the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, The Stony Brook School, the Three Village Historical Society and the office of Brookhaven Town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich.
It’s important to note that in the past, the community has regularly joined forces to support clean-up events at the Station. Volunteers have included scouting groups, students at The Stony Brook School, Stony Brook University, and the Three Village School District, and service organizations.
Working Group – Stony Brook Beautification Project
Leighton Coleman III North Suffolk Garden Club
Jennifer Lawrence North Suffolk Garden Club
Frannie Pistell North Suffolk Garden Club
Natalia Lamb North Suffolk Garden Club
Carmine Inserra Three Village Chamber of Commerce
Jane Taylor Three Village Chamber of Commerce
Alyssa Turano Suffolk County Legislative office/Kara Hahn
Amani Khan. Town of Brookhaven Council office/Jonathan Kornreich
Jonathan Kornreich. Councilman/Town Of Brookhaven
Herb Mones Three Village Civic Association/Three Village Community Trust
Mari Irizaay Three Village Historical Society
Greg de Bruin Three Village Community Trust
Emily Riley Local resident, Stony Brook School
George Hoffman Three Village Civic Association
Steve Antos Setauket Landscape and Design
Photos by Robert Pellegrino
