TR tribute survives rocky journey

After a wax job, Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Rider likeness will be moving to a new, prominent home in Oyster Bay, where it will be rededicated this weekend.

“This dedication ceremony will be the culmination of years of work by the town and the community to create a gateway park for Oyster Bay,” town Supervisor John Venditto said in a news release.

The newly named Theodore Roosevelt Triangle, located at the intersection of Route 106 and Berry Hill Road, will feature “Rough Rider,” an equestrian statue of the 26th president, which has been on the lawn of the Boys and Girls Club of Oyster Bay, across the street from the triangle, since 2005. Several weeks ago it was moved to a nearby factory to be given a wax job before being placed in its new home Thursday morning.

The triangle also will be home to an American flag that flew over the Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt along with five trees and a plaque dedicated to the five soldiers from Oyster Bay who died during World War I. One of them, Quentin Roosevelt, was the president’s youngest son.

The dedication is five years in the making after the town had trouble acquiring the park space from developer Charles Wang.

Members of the TR Statue Corp., responsible for creating the park, raised funds to have the statue cast and then asked Wang to donate the property or lease it for a nominal fee.

After several conversations between the committee and Wang's staff, Wang met with the group and rejected donation or lease of the property, compelling the town to purchase it from him.

Members of the nonprofit committee said Wang’s lack of cooperation hindered the park development and they had been heard grumbling around town, but refused to speak on the record, after learning the town had invited Wang to the dedication ceremony Saturday.

Michael Picker, chief executive of the Lighthouse Development Group would not comment on the matter on Monday but said, "I would like to congratulate Supervisor Venditto and his staff for making the park a reality. We were happy to make a contribution to this most appropriate entry point into the Hamlet of Oyster Bay."

Picker also said Wang will not attend the ceremony because of a scheduling conflict.

The town’s supervisor says he’s delighted with the acquisition of the land from Wang. According to the supervisor, Wang originally purchased the land for $1.1 million and sold it to Oyster Bay for $475,000.  “His generosity, in this case, was overwhelming,” Venditto said.

Roosevelt is a prominent figure in Oyster Bay history. He lived at his estate, Sagamore Hill, from 1885 until his death 1919. The estate is now a museum. The dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Triangle in Oyster Bay will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.

“I think if he were here to see the park and the 'Rough Rider' statue, he would most certainly say, ‘Bully,’ ” Venditto added.