Town of Babylon Parks and Recreational Facilities

Anthony Sanchez Memorial Park and Pool, Sawyer Avenue and Bedell Road, West Babylon 

  • This 12-acre park opened in 1962. Originally known as Sawyer Avenue Pool, the park was renamed on June 24, 1997 in honor of New York City Police Officer Anthony Sanchez who was killed in the line of duty on May 19, 1997.  Sanchez was a West Babylon resident and a 10-year veteran of the Police Department.   
  • Park facility with baseball, Jr. Baseball, and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts. This facility also includes a picnic area, playground, restrooms, swimming facility and free Wi-Fi access. Link 
  • Pool facility with handicap accessible ramp, children’s pool, restrooms, changing area, showers, shade arbor, lounge chairs, tables with umbrellas, and Wi-Fi access. Link 

 




Opening of the Sawyer Avenue Pool, 1962.  At the microphone, Supervisor Arthur M. Cromarty.  

 

The old Sawyer Avenue Pool, 1962. (Unfortunately, history did not record the names of these swimmers. Swim caps, like these stylish examples, were a public pool requirement in the 1960s.) 

 

Baseball game, Sawyer Avenue Park, 1961.

Sawyer Avenue Pool sign, c. 1976. 

 

Capt. John C. Pape Memorial Park, Old Farmingdale Road, West Babylon

  • Formerly known as the North Street Ballfield, the 12-acre park was renamed in 1970, by the Babylon Town Board. The park honors Capt. John C. Pape, who was a graduate of West Babylon High School, Class of 1961, and served 6 years in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division, before he was killed in action in Vietnam, May 18, 1969. Read more about Capt. Pape on the Town Historian’s Blog.
  • Park facility with football and Jr. Baseball fields. Facility also includes a playground, restrooms and free Wi-Fi access. Link 

Capt. John C. Pape (left). At right, the re-dedication of Capt. John C. Pape Memorial Park, October 28, 2017.

 

Scott Park, Junction Avenue and 3rd Street, West Babylon

  • Park facility with basketball courts and playground. Link 

 

Van Bourgondien Park, Albin Avenue, West Babylon

  • The 19-acre park is named for the family who previously owned the parkland. The Van Bourgondien family operated a well-known flower growing business. 
  • In 2019, the renewed playground at Van Bourgondien Park was named for Det. Peter Figoski, an NYPD officer who was killed in the line of duty, in 2011. 
  • Park facility with soccer fields and tennis courts. Facility also includes a playground, restrooms and free Wi-Fi access. Link 

 

Venetian Shores Beach and Spray Park, Granada Parkway, Lindenhurst

  • The 26-acre bay front park takes its name from the residential home development named Venetian Shores, which started in 1926. 
  • Park facility with softball fields, turf fields for football/soccer, basketball and tennis courts and a roller hockey rink. This facility also includes a boat launching ramp, picnic area, playground, restrooms, beach swimming, Spray Park, fishing, food services and free Wi-Fi access. Link 
  • Spray Park: Resident Only bay beach facility with interactive spray park, restrooms, playground, concession, picnic area with grills, and WiFi access. Link





Venetian Shores Beach Pavilion, 1958.






Venetian Shores Beach Pavilion, circa 2005.