What’s interesting and amazing about the creation of the
Babylon Village Gazebo, was that it became a template for future projects
scattered across Babylon Village. This would include projects like the Robert
Moses Statue, The Bayman, the historic Fountain in front of the Historical
Society, the growth of the Babylon Beautification Society, to name a few.
The unique Babylon Village sauce that made these projects
fly was an active group of citizens joining hands as full partners with their
Village Government. Often, when civic projects are initiated, they begin as
government inspired, like fixing our roads or building a park. Often, the
government entity will appoint an advisory group to support the Governmental
agencies final decisions. This, I may add, maybe the only way to build large
civic projects.
However, building the Village Gazebo in Babylon Village was
different. The Beautification Society was fresh off the erection of the
Statue,’ Sea Dreams’ that is in front of the library and was looking for a new
project. The Beautification Society board (1983) zeroed in on the ageing
Village Band shell which used to stand at the rear of the property where the
Gazebo now exists. I remember the seven or so dedicated woman and myself,
who comprised the board representing a growing Society, sitting around my dining
room table, in solidarity, ‘let's build a Gazebo’! I’m not sure at that time,
any of us had any idea how to build a world class pubic gazebo.
It would not have happened, if it were not for our next
step, let’s bring our grand idea to the mayor. The mayor at the time was the
venerable, long time office holder, Gilbert C. Hanse. It is not the time to go
into detail, but let us say that Gilbert and I came from very different
political backgrounds. Though there was a mutual distrust between the two of
us, we both loved the Village and it was in our best interest to make this
project work. Not to mention, Isabel Gallager, our founding President, remained
very active throughout the project and was arguably the most respected person
in our community.
The partnership worked! The Village and the
Beautification team met regularly. I will never forget Gil pulling out a yellow
ledger pad and detailing the exact costs the Village expended while the
Beautification Society was lagging a little behind. A deal was a deal! The
Society went into overdrive to raise additional funds. Of course, the Village
fair was quickly becoming the largest single day fair on Long Island and a true
money maker.
The Village Gazebo was finally finished and dedicated on
August 25,1985. The Robert Madey architected iconic structure stands proudly
for all to use and admire. It has never lost its utilitarian luster! Just as
important, the model to which it was created, Village and Civic activists as
equal partners, became a time-tested winner.
As an aside, watch Mayor Mary Adams and the Babylon Village
Historical Society members work to create the Hawley’s Pond Essential Workers
Fountain. A real test for the Village gazebo model. Oh yeah..Gil Hanse and I
became friends.
Wayne
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