Cherry tree planting at Calverton park would honor vets, active service members

A living tribute to service members could soon bloom at Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton as a way to beautify the grounds. 

Riverhead’s Veterans Advisory Committee plans to fill the park with cherry blossom trees donated in honor of veterans and those in active service. Six-foot trees will be planted throughout the 64-acre park, each with a barre granite marker bearing veterans' names and military branch. The committee hopes to plant 100 trees by May 2025.

Town officials said the program will help spruce up a flagship park while honoring veterans just across Route 25 from Calverton National Cemetery, where nearly 300,000 are buried. Committee members envision a quiet spot of remembrance among lush, frosted pink blooms that could one day serve as a backdrop for a cherry blossom festival. The town board is expected to formally approve the program this spring.

“It takes an incredible, immense amount of courage for one to join the armed forces,” Councilman Ken Rothwell said in an interview after pitching the idea to the town board at an April 25 meeting. “Every veteran needs to feel that appreciation.”

Anyone may purchase a tree to honor deceased and living veterans or active service members. A tree and marker with installation will cost $675.

Honorees don’t have to be Riverhead residents. 

“We’re not making a dollar off it; we just need the public’s help to beautify our park,” Rothwell said.

A line of trees will be planted as visitors enter the park and continue along walkways that wind through the park, which has ballfields, a dog park, nature trails, ice rink and soon, a new paintball field.

Rothwell said the committee selected Kanzan cherry trees that bloom later in spring to coincide with Memorial Day.

The project builds on the Hometown Heroes program established in 2021, which honors Riverhead residents who served in the military with banners listing their name and branch of service on lampposts downtown.

“It’s just blossoming,” said Thomas Najdzion, 57, an Army veteran who chairs the committee. Nearly 130 banners have been hung as part of that project, according to town officials. It has expanded from downtown Riverhead to Jamesport and soon, Wading River and Polish Town, Najdzion said.

Najdzion said planting trees is a way to honor veterans and make the park a "center point" in town. 

“We try and keep that legacy alive,” he said. “We don’t want to lose touch with veterans.”

Suffolk County is home to about 58,822 veterans, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.

Planting could get underway this fall. Timing will depend on other projects planned at the park this summer, including more than $1 million in upgrades to expand the parking lot and install curbs, sidewalks and permanent bathrooms.

For more information on the cherry blossom plantings, contact the town board coordinator at 631-727-3200, ext. 253, or email tbc@townofriverheadny.gov.