'A Park For Andrea,' Unveiled In Eastport, Honors Beloved Civic Leader

EASTPORT, NY — One of the East End's most dedicated and tireless advocates for the environment — known for her bright light, infectious smile, and complete dedication to civic pursuits — died in December, 2020, leaving behind a rich legacy and shoes almost impossible to fill, all who loved her agree.

But now, a new park has been unveiled that will forever stand testament to all that mattered to Andrea Spilka — a place where many can feel the breeze in their hair, light and sunshine and blue skies above, as they revel in the beauty of nature she worked so hard to preserve.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Monday, July 24, dedicating the Andrea Spilka Memorial Park & Nature Trail in Eastport, Southampton Town officials said.

Spilka, who lived in Eastport, died at 72 of cancer, leaving scores stunned and irrevocably saddened. And those she stood alongside in the battle to save the natural environment and the small towns that mean home to so many have created the park in her honor.

The properties located at 471 and 475 Montauk Highway in Eastport were purchased by the Town of Southampton with Community Preservation Funds and will now commemorate Spilka’s life, service and dedication to her community, the y said.

Spilka, a tireless civic leader in the Town of Southampton and the Town of Brookhaven, shared a passion for water quality and environmental issues, and will be remembered for her efforts to maintain and improve quality of life on the East End, officials said.

Councilman John Bouvier, who spearheaded the effort, reflected on Spilka's legacy: "One of the reasons we chose this location was because she served both the Brookhaven and the Southampton community. We thought this would be the perfect place for her. It’s a natural park, a birder’s paradise, which I think would represent her best. Every time I drive by, I think of Andrea and I hope you do, too."

Kevin McDonald, of The Nature Conservancy, added: "What Andrea was really gifted at was, she always looked for a positive solution, when sometimes there weren’t many that were too positive at all. She was able to disagree with people in a way that always preserved her dignity as well as the dignity of the people she was talking to and with. Some she even might have been angry at, but never showed it. Most of us refer to that as sort of a quaint aspect of grace, and being gracious."

Councilman Rick Martel, Southampton Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Southampton Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, Southampton Town Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara, Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier, The Nature Conservancy’s McDonald, Esther Granlick, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, Town of Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, and Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico all attended the ribbon-cutting.

In past months, Bouvier spoke of Spilka's "gracious determination" when advocating on environmental issues. Of the park, Bouvier said he and others who knew her would like to see it left it in its natural state. "We all feel she would like it like that, not manicured," he said.

Speaking of his longtime colleague, Bouvier said: "I miss her a lot. I think of her when I'm dealing with environmental issues. I think, 'What would Andrea say?' And that smile of hers, it would draw you right in."

Bob DeLuca, president and CEO of Group for the East End, also reflected on Spilka's long legacy of service through the many civic organizations and environmental groups she belonged to.

"Andrea’s passing was a devastating loss for the community and all those many folks whose lives she had touched through her many years of civic advocacy," he said.

DeLuca said he met Spilka when she was an adult student of his at Southampton College; after retiring from her career with the New York City Department of Education, she decided to dedicate her life to conservation and civic activism, he added.

"Through at least the last 15 years, Andrea has been a stalwart volunteer for Group for the East End, and a tireless community advocate in her own right for preservation and responsible planning in Southampton Town, Brookhaven, and Suffolk County," DeLuca said after she died. "In my 30 years of professional conservation, and advocacy I cannot recall a single individual who dedicated more personal time, with more professionalism, passion, and conviction than Andrea."

Along with her mission to protect the environment, Spilka touched lives with her open and giving heart, the many who knew her said.

"She wasn’t just a person of passionate conviction, she was also a very strategic thinker, and perhaps, most importantly, a person who believed deeply in the power and goodness inside of each person. She was an inspiration to me and I miss her presence and positivity on a daily basis," DeLuca said. "She could always see the best in others and never ever gave up on their potential."

When Spilka died, Craig Catalanotto, who formerly served as vice-chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee – West in Southampton Town, along with other civic groups, before serving in his current position on the Southampton Town planning board, wrote about the news that left so many devastated.

"Our community has lost a genuine and dignified advocate who gave so much of herself," he said. "Always out front in protecting open space, advocating for water quality, organizing and uniting people for a greater good, Andrea was and always will be the very best of what people have to offer. Whenever there was chaos, vitriol, and helplessness, somehow Andrea would bring the calm, the focus, and the ability to make people listen."

He added: "When the 'monster poles' went up in Eastport and tempers flared, Andrea quietly and patiently went about articulating the concerns of our community. Ultimately, Andrea was successful, and as an extension so were we. There are so many stories to tell, and all of them end with, 'because Andrea gave more than anyone else for everyone else.'"

Catalanotto said he would miss his friend. "More than missing her, I'm going to appreciate her. Green pines, clear water, preserved land, and a spirit of doing things the right way — these are the gifts that Andrea leaves us. I know that I'm not alone in feeling grateful."

Speaking to Patch, he added: "Andrea was such a wonderful person who did so much for our community. She is greatly missed."