HUNTINGTON, NY – July 10, 2026
A proposal involving one of Huntington’s neighborhood parks sparked an emotional conversation this week after Huntington Matters spent the past two weeks researching the facts, speaking with Town officials, and separating what is actually happening from what has become speculation. We also shared an important Neighborhood Watch update following a major law enforcement investigation, highlighted several stories making headlines across town, and looked ahead to another busy week of summer events.
Huntington Matters continues its weekly YouTube Live podcast series to keep residents informed about what’s happening across the Town of Huntington, from public safety updates to conversations taking place in Huntington Matters Community Forum.
Hosted by June Margolin, Dana Richter, and Diane Schaber, the Weekly Update connects residents from Cold Spring Harbor to Commack, Asharoken to Melville, and everywhere in between.
This week’s episode also featured important public safety news, infrastructure improvements, summer events happening across Huntington, the weekly weather forecast, and a “What Do You Think?” question that invited viewers to share their thoughts on the future of Fair Meadow Park.
👇 Watch the full episode below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
What’s Happening Around Huntington
We looked back at several stories that made headlines over the past week, including the arrests of three people accused of stealing thousands of checks from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes, including boxes located in Huntington Station, Greenlawn, East Northport, and Northport. We also discussed a $3.5 million federal grant awarded to the Town of Huntington for road repaving projects, highlighted key takeaways from the Town’s recent Lyme Disease Prevention Seminar, and visited the first Huntington Station Summer in the Streets block party event in the series.
Looking ahead, we featured the grand reopening of the historic John Gardiner Farm, the Postponed to 7/12 Manor Farm Summer Swap, the Northport Fire Department Fair, the Huntington YMCA’s free summer enrichment program, FREE “Zootopia 2” Movie Night at Heckscher Park, the Huntington Town Board meeting, the Huntington Manor Fireman’s Fair – Parade & Fireworks, Northport Family Fun Night, Summer in the Streets in Huntington Village, and several additional events happening throughout the week.
Residents can find details for these events and many more on the Huntington Matters Community Calendar at HuntingtonMatters.com.
Hot Topics from Huntington Matters Community Forum
The biggest conversation this week centered on the nearly 10-acre Fair Meadow Park at the corner of Pulaski Road and Park Avenue in Huntington Station and legislation that could allow a portion of the park to be used as the future home of the Huntington African American Museum. Huntington Matters Community Forum received numerous posts about the issue, each generating thousands of views and dozens of comments. The discussion quickly spread beyond social media as neighbors shared their thoughts in conversations throughout the community.
Over the past two weeks, we spoke with Town officials, reviewed public documents, and researched the issue to better understand what is actually happening. During the livestream, we walked viewers through what we learned, explained the legislative process now underway, and separated confirmed information from several misconceptions that had been widely shared online.
We discussed why legislation authorizing the alienation of a portion of the park was introduced in Albany, what it would and would not do if signed into law, and why the issue has generated such strong opinions from residents. The legislation states that a portion of Fair Meadow Park would be used for the future Huntington African American Museum, while the remaining parkland would continue to be maintained as a passive park. The conversation also explored the history of the museum project, how Fair Meadow Park became the preferred location, the proposed long-term lease arrangement between the Town and the museum, and what additional studies, site plan approvals, and public hearings would still be required before any future development could move forward.
We also shared an older conceptual improvement sketch for Fair Meadow Park that June discovered while researching the project. The sketch illustrated ideas for enhancing the existing passive park with improvements such as walking paths, benches, children’s play areas, and additional parking. We discussed it as one possible vision for the park’s future, with or without the museum, and as an example of how the property could continue to evolve over time.
Throughout the discussion, we noted that nearly every comment and conversation we reviewed supported building the Huntington African American Museum. The question raised most often was not whether the museum should be built, but whether a portion of an established passive park should be used as its location.
As the conversation moves forward, we encouraged neighbors to focus on the question currently before the community rather than debating issues that have not yet reached the public review process. We also invited viewers to share their thoughts on whether they support using a portion of Fair Meadow Park for the museum, recognizing that future discussions about site design and other details would come later if the project advances.
We shared this week’s “What Do You Think?” discussion question:
Should Fair Meadow Park remain intact, or should a portion of it be used for a museum? Why?
June and Dana shared their own perspectives as Huntington residents, building on one another’s ideas while exploring possible alternatives. Their discussion reflected different viewpoints while emphasizing the importance of listening to one another, understanding the facts, and participating in the public process. We also invited viewers to share their own thoughts in the comments, where the conversation continued long after the livestream ended.
Neighborhood Watch: Illegal Massage Business Enterprise Dismantled
This week’s Neighborhood Watch segment focused on a major law enforcement investigation that dismantled what authorities described as an illegal massage business enterprise operating across four Long Island locations, including three in the Town of Huntington.
We summarized the investigation announced by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, which alleges the enterprise generated millions of dollars through prostitution, money laundering, and other criminal activity. Investigators also continue to examine possible human trafficking connections as the case moves forward.
The investigation highlighted the growing coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to identify and dismantle organized criminal enterprises operating within our communities rather than focusing solely on individual offenders.
We also reminded viewers that while the overwhelming majority of massage businesses operate legally and professionally, neighbors should never hesitate to report activity that appears suspicious or out of place. Community awareness has always been one of the strongest tools in helping law enforcement identify criminal activity that might otherwise remain hidden.
If you believe criminal activity may be taking place in your neighborhood, contact the Suffolk County Police Department. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, using the P3 Tips mobile app, or visiting www.P3Tips.com.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next seven days included warm summer temperatures, sunshine, and the possibility of scattered afternoon thunderstorms.
With so many outdoor concerts, fairs, festivals, and community events taking place this time of year, we encouraged neighbors to keep an eye on changing conditions before heading out, especially during the afternoon and evening hours when pop-up storms can develop quickly.
Connect with and Support Huntington Matters
For more than 11 years, Huntington Matters has grown from what the hosts jokingly described during the livestream as an “ambitious volunteer project” into a full-time community resource hub serving residents across the Town of Huntington.
What began as eight years of volunteer work has grown into a full-time hyperlocal media platform serving Huntington through HuntingtonMatters.com‘s Community Calendar, Business Directory, The Common Thread magazine, Huntington Matters Community Forum, Instagram, TikTok, and regular YouTube Live updates. Despite that growth, the mission has remained the same for more than 11 years – connecting neighbors, supporting local businesses, sharing information, advocating for the community, and strengthening Huntington through engagement and communication.
If what Huntington Matters does resonates with you, please support Huntington Matters by purchasing official “Best. Neighbors. Ever.” merchandise, making a donation, subscribing to the YouTube channel, or sharing our content with friends and neighbors.
Local businesses looking to reach Huntington residents can partner with Huntington Matters through advertising opportunities designed to help businesses get noticed, stay visible, and build trust with neighbors across the Town of Huntington.
To advertise, submit a tip, or suggest a topic, email info@huntingtonmatters.com.
If you live, work, or grew up in the Town of Huntington, join more than 56,900 of your neighbors in Huntington Matters Community Forum.
Please note: Events are removed from the Community Calendar approximately three months after the event date, so some older links may no longer be active.
