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Trumpet the news

| 23 Mar 2016 | 05:30
    These are sketches for the proposed new bandshell at Stanley-Deming Park in the Village of Warwick.
    These are sketches for the proposed new bandshell at Stanley-Deming Park in the Village of Warwick.
    Photo by Roger Gavan A recent photo of the bandstand in Stanley-Deming Park.
    Photo by Roger Gavan A recent photo of the bandstand in Stanley-Deming Park.
    Photos provided by the Warwick Village Mayor's office The bandstand in Stanley-Deming Park during the 1930s or 1940s.
    Photos provided by the Warwick Village Mayor's office The bandstand in Stanley-Deming Park during the 1930s or 1940s.
    An example of early bandstands like the one that stood at the Intersection of Main Street and Oakland Avenue during a parade in 1888.
    An example of early bandstands like the one that stood at the Intersection of Main Street and Oakland Avenue during a parade in 1888.

WARWICK — The bandstand in Stanley-Deming Park has served the Village of Warwick well for more than 80 years.

But it's now scheduled to be demolished and replaced during the first week or two in April.

In the 1970s the current bandstand was altered with the addition of bathrooms.

This addition, however, obliterated the opening from the park side, making it less useful as a bandstand.

Nevertheless, it remained a popular venue.

"There are many stories of summer concerts," said Mayor Michael Newhard, "where people would sit in their cars along parkway to listen and instead of clapping would honk their horns. Poor neighbors!"

Until 1999, many of the summer concerts that are now held on Railroad Green, took place at the bandstand in Stanley-Deming Park.

That first concert at Railroad Green in 1999, by the way, was a Big Band concert conducted by Ken Durland and featuring Dick Wells. It was such a success that it made way for a summer series, all held since that time at Railroad Green.

Railroad Green concerts to remain

The new bandstand is being built with funding from the Kosuga Foundation, named after Pine Island residents and philanthropists Vincent and Polly Kosuga.

"We are working with landscape architect Karen Arendt to position the new bandstand so that it will maximize the open space and the usefulness of the bandstand as a stage," said Newhard. "We will not be moving the concerts back to Stanley-Deming but this will give us another venue and greater flexibility."

The new bandstand will function as an additional venue for performances as well as an activities area for the Village Recreation Program.

By careful positioning, the bandstand will open up the park's green space; by design it will be handicap accessible. And there is now a separate bathroom facility in the park.

'It's time for next generation'

"I'm very excited about the new bandstand," said Newhard. "The village is grateful to the Kosuga Foundation for this generous gift that will touch so many in our community.

"It's sad to see the old bandstand go," the mayor recalled. "I remember quite clearly as a kid doing art projects on it during the Summer Recreation Program or setting up 'haunted houses' in the large room underneath. It has served us well over the many years. I think it's time for the next generation and for something useful and beautiful."

- Roger Gavan