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Port Washington unveils new 13-foot clock tower at Blumenfeld Family Park

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Port Washington has a brand-new timekeeper in the heart of town.

A 13-foot, four-faced clock tower was unveiled Monday at Blumenfeld Family Park, drawing local officials, business leaders, and residents to watch the Howard replica-style clock strike 2 p.m.

The timepiece โ€” inscribed with โ€œsettled 1644โ€ โ€” is the new centerpiece of the park, part of a beautification push by the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District. The $10,000 project was funded by PSEG Long Island with support from the Town of North Hempstead.

โ€œThis community deserves a beautiful clock like this,โ€ said Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. โ€œThis park is the result of so many generous, dedicated people in Port Washington.โ€

A community effort

The village clock was manufactured by the Verdin Clock Company and installed with help from the town attorneyโ€™s office, highway department, parks department, and public works, which handled everything from pouring the cement base to powering the tower.

โ€œIt has been a long project, but we had a great team,โ€ said Holly Byrne, executive director of the Port Washington BID. โ€œIt was made possible by PSEG Long Island and the support of our town.โ€

Christine Bryson, an economic development specialist for PSEG, said the effort was part of the utilityโ€™s โ€œbusiness firstโ€ initiative. โ€œThe clock serves as a symbol of inclusivity, representing that all businesses are welcome in Port Washington,โ€ she said.

Keeping time, and business

PSEG Long Island funded the project through a $10,000 grant. (Credit: Ben Fiebert)

State Assemblyman Daniel Norber noted that the project has been in the works since early last year, with the goal of revitalizing the downtown.

โ€œWeโ€™re so lucky to have people working together โ€” whether itโ€™s the little things, the big things, everything all together โ€” just to make sure that we bring back a community here that wants to bring in businesses and let everybody thrive,โ€ he said.

The BID, which also sponsors streetscape improvements, business support programs, and community events, called the clock a lasting symbol of its mission.

โ€œThe new street clock at Blumenfeld Park stands as a symbol of this ongoing dedication,โ€ the group stated.


Top: The new clock tower was unveiled at Blumenfeld Family Park on Monday with village, BID and PSEG representatives on hand. (Credit: Ben Fiebert)

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