A pedestrian plaza featuring stone sculptures was dedicated Wednesday in Huntington Station, representing progress, the town said, in the area's revitalization.
The stone sculpture, called "Generations," is the centerpiece of the plaza at New York Avenue and Olive Street, an area once occupied by an abandoned garage and a parking lot.
Created by artist Madeline Wiener, the four-piece sculpture is designed to be used. And it was Wednesday, as officials sat in the lap of one figure and youngsters climbed the pieces.
“This is the culmination of many years of planning and community input,” Supervisor Frank Petrone said. “This is truly what we can say is a community inspired revitalization project."
Petrone, Town Board members Susan Berland and Mark Cuthbertson and Suffolk Legis. Lou D'Amaro all spoke, praising the work and commitment that brought the plaza into existence. "This is the byproduct of hard work," Cuthbertson said.
Wiener also spoke, saying that the musical theme of the sculpture, which includes a figure playing a guitar, grew out of conversations with residents.
"The Hispanic community really planted the seed for music," the Denver artist said.
She and others mentioned a pawn shop that sits directly behind the plaza, a sore point with some residents who have complained that it is incompatible with revitalization.
"If they have to pawn something, I hope they'll pause here," she said.
The project was " a very personal commission," she said. "This is a part of my soul, my family's soul and Huntington Station's soul."
Wiener said the sculpture addressed two physical issues--the need to stand up to repeated use such as people climbing on it, and safety, with rounded edges to avoid injuries. It is made of dolomite limestone imported from Ontario.
Representatives of Renaissance Downtowns, the master developers for the Station's revitalization, Suffolk County police, the South Huntington school district and others were on hand at the opening. Among the guests were several representatives of the clergy.
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