Greater Babylon coverage is funded in part by The Argyle Theatre, where Broadway comes to Babylon. Click here for tickets to ‘A Bronx Tale,’ performing April 25 to June 16.
After almost two years of planning, planting, and sprucing up, the Babylon Beautification Society officially unveiled its restoration project outside the train station on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Depot Place.
The previous eyesore is now a revamped triangular parcel of land with a blue spruce tree, flowers, lamposts, a black fence surrounding the exterior, and a brand-new “The Village of Babylon Welcomes You” cobblestone sign.
The short ceremony held on Sept. 13 fell on what would have been the beautification society’s Annual Fair at Argyle Park.
Unfortunately, the event was canceled due to New York State’s limitations on crowds during the pandemic.
Frank Petruzzo, president of the Babylon Beautification Society, said even though the organization had to cancel the festival, he said this new project showcases the beauty of the village’s unity.
“The fair is a Babylon tradition where tens of thousands of people visit our village and we get to share our wonderful community,” said Petruzzo. “This year, while we can’t have a fair, we can still celebrate that same spirit, community, and volunteerism.”
The reveal of the new grounds was met with applause from local officials, members of the BBS, and the community.
Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino praised the organization for its continuing efforts to improve the appearance of the village.
“Our village looks so beautiful and the beautification society makes it possible in doing that,” Scordino said.
Scordino reflected on the group’s past fairs and how in the last two years, around 40,000 people would visit and take part in the festivities.
He said this new parcel is a tribute to the hard work of the Babylon Beautification Society.
“It’s a sad day because right at this point we would be up to our eyeballs in food, soda, and people,” Scordino said. “It’s a tribute to the Beautification Society who get those people in our village, they look at our village, they want to come to our village — even with the coronavirus here — people are buying in Babylon Village because it looks so beautiful.”
Legislator Kevin McCaffrey said Petruzzo “hit the mark” on the beautification project and praised the president of the BBS on his community engagement.
“It’s another great addition to Babylon Village,” McCaffrey said. “The Beautification Society, the Historical Society, all the organizations in Babylon are what makes this community the way it is.”
Mary Adams, village trustee and BBS board member, said Babylon Village is all about community, especially during these tough times.
“No matter what happens, or where you go, our community is what brings us together,” Adams said. “This is just another testament to that.”
Adams emphasized that volunteering is what makes Babylon Village shine.
“Let’s all volunteer,” she said. “It’s all our time and efforts to make Babylon beautiful because of the community that we are in.”
For more information on the project and updates on the efforts of the Babylon Beautification Society, visit the organization’s website and Facebook page.
Below are more photos from the unveiling.
