I was born and raised in Kings Park (KP), Long Island. It is a small town where everybody knows each other. Growing up, I would hear my peers, and even myself, talk about how much we couldn't wait to get out of this town. Being in college and seeing other towns all over the state, I asked myself why would I want to leave KP.
However, a lot of non-residents do not know where Kings Park is. If I tell somebody l live in Kings Park, there are a few responses I get like "Where is that?" or "Isn't that the place with the insane asylum?" First of all, what I usually tell people is that KP is between Smithtown and Commack. Second, generally speaking people in KP call it the psych center (psychiatric center for short), not the insane asylum. I don't know if it's haunted, so don't bother asking me that. I have never been inside, and I don't plan on it. That place is so dangerous, and I'd rather not risk getting asbestos in my lungs. I am writing this article to educate fellow Long Islanders about what Kings Park has to offer. Maybe, even open up the eyes of Kings Parkers that KP is not so bad after all. It is more than just the town with the insane asylum.
Kings Park is the type of town that when somebody is sick, in the hospital, has a house fire or are going through financial issues, we are all there to help. The community is always coming together to help other families. There are fundraisers in town and donations from the local businesses. I love this about my town. KP has a huge sense of community. Everybody becomes a family during a time of need. I am beyond grateful to come from a town with such selfless and giving people.
Kings Park has an amazing fire department. My father is a fireman and growing up as a fireman's daughter was an experience I will never forget. The fire house does amazing things for the children of firemen such as Halloween and Christmas parties. While growing up, I got to see behind the scene things that some people don't get to see. When there was a Christmas party for the families and there was a call for a house fire, all those men and women would stop what they were doing to go help others. This instilled in me to help those in need.
In addition, the fire house does so much for the Kings Park community. They do firehouse tours for local preschools. They have a scholarship fund for graduates in the community. On high school college night, the firemen try to encourage students staying home for college to join the fire department. During Kings Park day, which is usually held sometime in June, the fire house does fire prevention and a blood drive. They have a safety trailer which stimulates a practice fire emergency to teach people on how to react in a fire. The trailer is also brought around to schools to teach students about fire safety.
Kings Park in the kNOw is a coalition that educates the community on drug addiction and what you can do to save a life. They run events through the schools to encourage a drug free zone. They give people the honest truth about the drug epidemic. By visiting their website at http://www.kpintheknow.org/ you can be given helpful information about getting help or helping those with the disease. Other programs and organizations in Kings Park include the Kings Park Yacht Club, Civic Association, Chambers of Commerce, VFW Post 5796, the list goes on.
The Kings Park Psychiatric Center was a place that a lot of Kings Parkers were employed. My Great Grandmother worked there, my aunts and cousins worked there and my mother worked there when she was pregnant with me. The psych center was nothing more than a place for employment and to help those with a mental illness. The buildings were shut down in 1996 and it wasn't long after this when they became violated.
If you type "Kings Park" into google, you are going to read all about the "spooky, creepy, haunted and horrific psychiatric center." You will see images of graffiti, broken windows, walls and floors ripped apart. No wonder why people think it is scary, because the people who violate it make it look that way. It gets me frustrated when punks go in there and destroy it. Just let it be, let the buildings be there in peace.
Kings Park deserves more than images of run down buildings. KP has great programs and organizations to be a part of. Kings Park is the place to build amazing character. Kings Park is where love, life and families are created.
