Town Of Huntington Spray Park To Be Named After Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo

Town of Huntington sprinkler park will be built in memory of Greenlawn native Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, who was tragically killed in the line of duty last year, Town officials announced on Monday.

The spray park will be built at the 2,500-square area of Elwood Park and will offer 1,600 square feet of active play features. Lisa Tuozzolo, the widow of Tuozzolo, and New York Police Department representatives were included in the discussion over what would be an appropriate memorial.

The spray park will also feature a shade structure, six park benches, a four-foot vinyl coated chain link fence and a memorial trellis naming the spray park. The preliminary costs of the spray park will be $450,000, with a portion of the funding coming from developer of the Seasons at Elwood. The rest of the funding will come from the Town’s Park Improvement Fund.

Tuozzolo was killed in the line of duty during a Bronx shootout last November. He left behind two young sons, Austin and Joseph.

“We of course are saddened by the tragic incident that cost Paul his life and we hope that this spray park will be a place where Austin and Joseph can come and relive their fond memories of their dad and know that all of us will remember the sacrifice he made while trying to keep us safe," Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said in a press release. "This spray park will be a testament to the exemplary way Paul Tuozzolo led his life, as a police officer, as a husband and as a dad.”

Rep. Thomas Suozzi spoke to the members of Austin’s kindergarten class from Harley Avenue Primary School who attended the announcement. “It’s important to know that you are witnesses today to something that will be here forever," Suozzi said.

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Town officials joined the kindergarten students in unveiling a sign that shows conceptual drawings of the spray park. Construction will begin in March 2018 and will be completed by the beginning of next summer.

"Today’s dedication is a fitting tribute to the devotion he had toward his children and I know that he is smiling down with great pride, knowing that his boys will have laughter and smiles at this spray park," Lisa Tuozzolo said.

A dedication ceremony was held on Monday. Town official, NYPD officials and kindergarten students from Harley Avenue Primary School were in attendance.

Image via TOH