Huntington bans personal displays at some parks, cemeteries

The Town of Huntington has passed a measure banning displays of personal holiday decorations at certain parks and cemeteries throughout the town.

According to the resolution, the new law prohibits private or personal “installation, placement or display” of decorations such as wreaths, Christmas trees, menorahs, seasonal ornaments, lighting and banners at the selected parks.

American flags are allowed, according to town board member Dave Bennardo, who sponsored the measure.

The locations where decorations are banned are: Arboretum Park-Anne Frank Park Memorial Garden in Melville; Greenlawn Memorial Park; the 9/11 Memorial at Heckscher Park in downtown Huntington; John J. Walsh Memorial Park in East Northport; Richard W. Holst Memorial Park (Depot Road Park) and Terry Farrell Park (Wolf Hill Road Park), both in Huntington Station; Peter A. Nelson Park (Oakwood Park) in West Hills; Bright Star Park in Elwood; Christopher Columbus Park (statue) near Main Street downtown; and all historic cemeteries.

Bennardo said it is an effort to preserve the solemnity of those sites.

“This came out of veterans saying to us, ‘We really shouldn’t be having other things placed on a memorial to people who spilled their blood in the name of the country,’” he said. “This was to protect veterans' memorials.”

The resolution passed 5-0 at the March 10 town board meeting. The prohibition doesn't apply to displays the town sets up.

Bennardo's office said offenders wouldn't face a penalty; the town would simply remove the decorations.

Robert Fonti, president of the nonprofit Italian American Action Committee, works with two Italian-heritage organizations to coordinate a wreath-laying ceremony each October at the Columbus statue. He said he has been advised that the ban will not impact that ceremony or any others hosted at the statue, something he said is more important this year as the country celebrates its 250th birthday.

“We’re pleased to learn the celebrations at the Christopher Columbus statue can still move forward as we have in the last 20-plus years,” he said, adding, “I’m still trying to figure why the statue was included in the first place.”

Bennardo said the selected sites included places dedicated to those in the military, to police, and to those who are historically significant, such as Anne Frank and Columbus. 

He said that over the years, people have set up decorations at some of the sites, leading to the town fielding complaints that the displays were inappropriate.

He said something needed to be in writing so there is no confusion.

"If we leave it to the discretion of the public, then you are arbitrary and capricious on [enforcement],” he said. “If you have a rubric, the rubric is parks specifically built to memorialize those who died in uniform or memorialize someone who had historical significance.”