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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13_Parks Recreation Final 5-17 2019 CLEANSoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate ThisdocumentwaspreparedfortheNewYorkStateDepartmentofState withfundsprovidedunderTitle11oftheEnvironmentalProtectionFund. Parks&Recreation Final December20,2011 UpdatedMay17,2019 Parks&Recreation 1 SoutholdTownoffersnumerousrecreationalopportunitiesonitslandandinitswaters,andhas acquiredandmanagedmanyacresofrecreationallandsthroughitsdiverseprograms.Further opportunitieshavebeenestablishedbythefourParkDistricts:Mattituck,Cutchogue-NewSuffolk, Southold,andOrient-EastMarion.TheSoutholdRecreationDepartmentoffersmanyprogramsfor therecreationalexperienceofresidents. TheCountyofSuffolk,StateofNewYork,SchoolDistricts,andseveralprivateorganizationsalso havelandholdingswithintheTownforrecreationalpurposes.Acompleteinventoryislistedin Appendix10. Thischapteraddressesprovidingnumerousactivitiesandprogramsthatofferrecreational, educationalandleisureopportunitiesthatmeettheneeds,preferences,andfinancialabilitiesof Southold’sresidentsandvisitors.Anefforttodeterminefutureneedsrelatingtotheseactivities requiresanexaminationoftheexistinginventoryofprogramsandfacilities.Inaddition,itrequires theengagementofthepublictodeterminethetypesofrecreationalandleisureactivitiesthey envisionforthefuture. Background Inthepast,participatinginrecreationalactivitiesorenjoyingparksandopenspaceforrecreational purposeswasaninformalarrangement.Unlikemanychaptersfoundwithinthisplan,thereare limitedstudiesandrecommendationsregardingparksandrecreation.In1981,theLeagueof WomenVotersissuedasurveyassessingrecreationalneedsinwhichitwasreportedthattheTown’s residentswantedmoreparksandtrailsandanindoorpool/gymnasiumcomplex.Twoconsultants alsoprovidedreportstotheTownBoardintheearly1980’sthatfeaturedconcrete recommendationsincludingthedevelopmentofa“professionalstaff”forrecreationalpurposes. TheTownestablishedarecreationdepartmentin1985.Currentlytherecreationstaffconsistsof onefull-timedirectorandonepart-timestaffmembertodevelopandadministerprograms.In 2004,theTowntransferredresponsibilityforthemaintenanceofpublicproperties,includingparks andrecreation,totheDepartmentofPublicWorks.Inaddition,theTowncreatedavolunteer committee(Parks,BeachesandRecreation)thatwaschargedwithmakingrecommendationstothe TownBoardtopromoterecreationalopportunities. In2004,theTownBoardincreasedthecollectionofparksandrecreationfeestotheamountof $7,000perlot,whichthePlanningBoardmaycollectifan applicantcannotsuitablyaccommodatea parkorpublictrail forrecreationalpurposeswithinasubdivisionplat($3,500perlotfor conservationsubdivisionandnochargeforaffordablehousingdistrict).Feesaremaintainedina separatetrustfundandcanbeusedexclusivelyfortheacquisitionofpublicparks,playgrounds,or recreation,and/orfortheimprovementsofpublicparksandrecreationalfacilities. InMay2008,thevotersapprovedareferendumfortheTowntopurchasethesiteformerlyknown as“thePeconicSchool”situatedon4.3acresonPeconicLanenexttotheTown’sexisting RecreationDepartment.TheTownhasutilizedmuchofitsSuffolkCountyCommunity Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 2 DevelopmentBlockGrant(CDBG)fundingtowardtherehabilitationofthesite,nowknownasthe PeconicLaneCommunityCenter.TheCenterfeaturesthreeroomsthatcanholdupto30people formeetingspaceandeducationalclassesaswellasleisureactivitiesandasmallauditoriumwith stage. EngagingthePublictoDeterminePerceived RecreationalNeedsandGaps Todeterminewhattypesofrecreationalactivitiesthepublicwouldlikeforthefuture,asurveywas developedandlaunchedontheTown’swebsite.RespondentsweresolicitedthroughtheRecreation Department’sE-Newsletter,alinkontheTown’swebpageandanadvertisementintheSuffolk Times.Initiallythiseffortprovided118responses.Additionalstrategiesofcommunityoutreach increasedthesurveyresponsetoalmost200.Surveyswerealsoprovidedtostudentsatlocalschools toascertainthetypesofrecreationalandleisureactivitiesthatyouthwouldliketoseedevelopedin Town.Seniors(55yearsofageandolder)comprise40percentoftheTown’spopulation;therefore, theSpecialProjectsCoordinatormetwithseniorsattheHumanResourceCentertodiscussthe Town’sComprehensivePlananddistributesurveys. Inadditiontosolicitingpublicfeedbackthroughsurveys,threefocusgroupswereconductedatthe SoutholdTownRecreationCentertoelicitideasaboutwhattypesofrecreationandleisureactivities areneededintheTown,whatobstaclesandimpedimentsexistforcurrentprogramming,andwhat kindsofrecreationalactivitiesofferedinotherEastEndtownswouldbesuitableforSouthold. TheSoutholdYouthBureauboardandYouthAdvisoryCouncilconvenedameetingdevotedto strategicplanningforyouthservicesinpreparationforChapter11,“HumanServices,”ofthe ComprehensivePlan.Over90percentofrespondentsstatedthatpriorityplanningshouldinclude thedevelopmentofayear-roundmulti-purposegymnasiumandswimmingpoolcomplexwiththe capacitytoprovidespaceforateencenterforafterschoolactivities. SurveyResponses: Appendix10 containsadetailedresponseofsurveysreceivedbythepublic.Initially,responses werecollectedonline.Printedcopieswerelatermadeavailable. Thetopfivesurveyresponsesfromthepublicregardingtherecreationalfacilities/programsthat theyperceivetobemostneededintownarenotedbelowinorderofpriority: •Indoorswimmingpool •Bicycle,walking,andjoggingtrails •Bowlinglanes •Performingarts •Indoorsportscomplex Inreviewingwrittencomments/suggestionsfromthepublic,manyemphasizedcombining functionstomeetneeds,i.e.,combiningtheswimmingpoolandgymnasiumcomplexsothatit couldhostteenactivitiesaswellaschildcare.Afewparticipantsnotedtheinferiorconditionofthe Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 3 dogparkandtheneedforexpansionandimprovementofgrounds.Severalcommentsreferenced theneedfordiverseprogrammingwithadditionalinstructorstooffer“advancedprogramming.” FocusGroupComments: ThreefocusgroupswereconvenedtodiscussrecreationinSoutholdTown.Thecontentofthe discussionstronglyfavoredthedevelopmentofadditionalculturalprogrammingsuchasperforming arts,theatre,movies,musicalprograms,andartsandcraftsactivitieswithinthenewlyacquired PeconicLaneCommunityCentersite.Inaddition,itwassuggestedthatthenameofthedepartment responsibleforadministeringprogramsshouldbechangedfrom“Recreation”toanothernamesuch as“Recreation,EducationandLeisure.” PerformanceStandards: TheNationalParkandRecreationAssociationadoptedstandardsforbasicoutdoorrecreational facilitiesthatprovideguidelinesformunicipalitiesplanningrecreationalactivities.Thesestandards maybeapplicabletoothersuburbanorruralcommunities,buttheyarenotnecessarilyappropriate forSoutholdTownwithitspreservedfarmlandandsemi-ruralhamlets.Itsreferenceismerelyto provideguidelinesforplanning.Theyappearbelow: Facility StandardperPersons (Southoldpopulationapproximately 21,000) Baseball 1per5,000 Basketball 1per5,000 Handball 1per20,000 GolfCourse 1per50,000 Softball 1per5,000 Tennis 1per2,000 SwimmingPool1per20,000 IceHockey 1per100,000 Volleyball 1per5,000 Soccer 1per10,000 Football 1per10,000 FieldHockey 1per20,000 Track(1/4mile)1per20,000 ExistingConditions TheTowncontainsarangeanddiversityofparklandandotheropenspacesuitableforrecreational purposes.However,notallofthislandisinpublichands.Privateownersandoperatorsprovide recreationalopportunities,asbecameevidentinthecraftingoftheTown’sLocalWaterfront RevitalizationProgramdocument.Thisincludesprivatemarinasandgolfcourses.TheInventory Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 4 containedin Appendix10 denotesalllandusedforparkandrecreationpurposes.Adistinctionis madebetweengovernment-ownedproperties,school-districtpropertiesandprivateproperties. Belowisalistingof SoutholdTown’srecreationalparkswithcurrentsportsactivities: RobertTaskerPark Tenniscourts(3)withlights LittleLeaguebaseballfields(3)1withlights T-ballbaseballfield(1) Playgroundarea(1) Restroomfacilities PickleballCourts(3) JeanCochranPark Rollerhockeyrink(1) Baseballfield,withlights(1) Tenniscourts(3) BasketballCourt(1) Footballfield(1)(alsousedforlacrosse,soccer) T-ballbaseballfields(2) ½milewalkingtrack LaurelLakePark LittleLeaguebaseballfields(2) Playgroundarea(1) StrawberryFieldsFairgrounds (leasedfromSuffolkCounty) Sportsfields(3)usedforsoccer,lacrosse OldSchoolHousePark (leasedfromOrient/EastMarionSchoolDistrict) Basketballcourt(1) Tenniscourt(1) Playground Littleleaguebaseballfield(1)alsousedforsoccer Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 5 Goals FacilityandProgramPlanningandAdequacyAnalysis TodeveloptheTown’sgoalsandobjectivesforthischapter,thefollowingmethodswereutilized: •Reviewofpreviousstudies •Reviewofsurveyresponsesandcomments •Reviewoffocusgroupdiscussions •ReviewofNationalParksandRecreationAssociationperformancestandards •Reviewofexistinginventory •InterviewswithrecreationdepartmentstaffandmembersoftheParks,Beachesand Recreationcommittee Goal1.DiverseProgramming Provideforavarietyofrecreational,educational,andleisureexperiencesand programstomeetthediverseneedsofthecommunityinanefficientandcost- effectivemanner Recreational,educational,andleisureactivitiesevolvewithtimeanditisimportanttoremaincurrent aswellassatisfytheneedsofadiversepopulationofseniors,youth,andpart-timeresidents. Technologicaladvancesrequirethatthefacilitiesandactivitiesremaincompellingandinstructional foralltownresidents. Objectives: 1)Issueannualsurveystoassesstheparksandrecreationalneedsofthecommunity.Meetwith participantsattheHumanResourceCenterandYouthBureautofurtherascertaintheneeds ofseniorsandyouth. 2)Asafollow-uptosurveyresponses,facilitatefocusgroupstogarneradditionalinformation regardingwhatthecommunitydesiresintermsofrecreationalneeds. 3)Provideexitsurveystoparticipantswhotakeclassesandparticipateinrecreationactivities. 4)Continuallyresearchandassessrecreationalprogramsofothermunicipalitiesintheregionas wellasthroughoutthecountry. 5)DevelopandenhanceculturalprogramsandactivitiestobecontainedinthePeconicLane CommunityCenter. 6)Partnerwithexistingentitiesthatprovideculturalprogrammingtooffereducationalclasses, performances,artexhibits,concerts,andotherleisureactivities. 7)EnhancetechnologicalcapacitiesoftheTownRecreationCenterandPeconicLane CommunityCentertopromotecutting-edgeprogramofferings. 8)UtilizesocialmediatolearnaboutnewprogramsandactivitiesattheRecreationDepartment andtogatherfeedbackonprogramofferings. Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 6 9)IncreasestaffingoftheRecreationDepartmenttoincludeskilledandexperiencedfull-time staffandpart-timestaffthatcouldresearchfundingopportunitiesandresources.Staffing couldalsoincludeemploymentopportunitiesforyouth. 10)ChangethenameoftheTown’sRecreationdepartmenttosomethingelse(e.g.,“Recreation, EducationandLeisure”.)Thenewlynameddepartmentcanraiseitsprofilethroughbranding. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdRecreationDepartment,SoutholdParks,Beachesand RecreationCommittee,DepartmentofDataProcessingandInformationTechnology,Planning Department,SoutholdHumanResourceCenterandSoutholdYouthBureau PossiblePartnerships:PeconicLanding,FishersIslandCommunityCenter,Historical Societies,Libraries,EastEndArtsCouncil,NorthForkCommunityTheatre,GroupfortheEast End Goal2.FacilitiesandGrounds TheTownhasanimpressiveinventoryofparklandsandrecreationfacilities.Throughaggressive effortstopreservefarmlandandopenspace,theTownhasacquiredlandsuitableforthe developmentofpassiveandactiverecreation.Thisconversionoflandrequiressomeexpenseto promotesafety,access,trails,etc.Itisimportantthatexistingresourcesaremaintainedand protectedtopreventoveruseanddegradation.Whileexistingresourcesmayappearadequateat present,itisimperativethattheTowncontinuallyassesswhetherrecreationalneedsarebeingmet andpurchaseadditionallandanddevelopsiteswhenwarranted. Goal2.1 Enhanceutilizationofexistingparklands,openspaces,beaches,and recreationalfacilitiesthroughongoingmaintenance,stewardship,andfacility improvement. Objectives: 1)Collaboratewithschoolstoexplorethefeasibilityofaddingasharedsportsturf(artificialturf) fieldwithlightingtoanexistingtownparkthatiscentrallylocatedforfieldsportssuchas lacrosseandsoccerandaregulationtrack.Schoolteamsneedafieldthatcanbeintensivelyused inallseasonsandwherebiggamescanbehosted,andnaturalturfiseasilyoverusedand destroyed.Otherathleticclubteamscouldrentthefield.TheTownwouldmanagethefieldand itsschedule. 2)Promotecompatibleandmultipleusesofparksandrecreationalsites. 3)Developadatabaseofexistingparksandrecreationalfacilitiesthatnotestheconditionofthe site,whatneedstobeimprovedtoenhanceutilization,andwhenenhancementmusttakeplace (e.g.,replacesodonbaseballfieldsinspring.) Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 7 4)Establishpoint-in-timesurveystoaccessutilizationratesofparksandrecreationalfacilities duringdifferenttimesoftheyear,month,andday. 5)IncreasecollaborationandcommunicationwithschoolsandParkDistrictstocoordinatetheuse offieldsandfacilitiestomaximizerecreationalopportunitiesforresidentstopreventoveruse anddegradation. 6)InstallpermanentbathroomsatJeanCochranParkandStrawberryFieldsandconsider installationofportabletoiletsatotherlocationsifwarranted. 7)Throughlandpreservationstewardshipoffermorebicycleandwalking/joggingtrails. 8)FinishtherestorationofthePavilionatLaurelLake. 9)ContinueparticipationintheBaytoSoundtrailsproject. 10)Ensureseasonalinstallationofreceptaclestocollectrefuseandprovidetimelyremovalofrefuse frompublicbeaches.Educatethepubliconthemaintenanceofparksandbeacheswith campaignssuchas“CarryOutWhatYouCarryIn.” 11)InstalllightingwithtimerontracksinJeanCochranParktoenablerecreationalactivitiesin winterhours. 12)Increaselawenforcementpatrolstoimprovethequalityofpublicbeachesthroughelimination ofillegalparking,camping,littering,andfishingpractices. 13)DevelopdocumentforpublicdistributionandfortheTown’swebsitethatillustratestheexisting inventoryofparksandrecreationfacilities(activeandpassive.) 14)Developrecreationalofferingsdevotedtoseasonaloutdooractivitiessuchasbirdwatching, cross-countryskiing,paddletennis,fishing,anddeerhunting. 15)Provideaniceskatingalternativetousinglocalpondsbycreatingasafe,lightediceskatingrink inwinter. 16)ContinuetomaintainthesleddinghillatMarratookaLakePreserve. 17)Utilizevolunteersandcommunitygroupsforclean-upofbeachesandtrails. 18)Developcommunitygardenswithvegetablesandflowerswithindesignatedtownfacilities. 19)Createanexercisetrailwithexercisestations. 20)Establishgreenwaysinhamletcenters. 21)ConnectthewestendbikepathtotheeastendrecreationaltrailonFishersIsland. 22)IncreasetheusefulnessofthetownparkatSilversmith’sCornerbyincludingafewsmall permanenttablesforpicnicsandschedulingmoreactivitiesinthepark. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdRecreationDepartment,DepartmentofPublicWorks,Land PreservationCommittee,SoutholdPoliceDepartment,ParksDistricts,SchoolDistrictsandFishers IslandCommunityBoard. PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyDepartmentofParksandRecreation,PeconicLandTrust, NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,VillageofGreenport,YouthService Groups(BoyScouts,GirlScouts,etc.)theNatureConservancy,SoutholdGardenClub,Cornell CooperativeEducationandNewYorkStateOfficeofParks,RecreationandHistoricPreservation Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 8 Goal2.2 Obtainadditionallandforrecreationalpurposeswhere feasibleandnecessary. Objectives: 1)EnhancecommunicationandcoordinationwiththeParks,BeachesandRecreationCommittee andtheLandPreservationCommitteetocultivateopportunitiestopurchaselandwith CommunityPreservationfundingthatwillprovidescenicbenefitstoresidentsandvisitorsas wellasprovideneededrecreationalactivities.Trailsystemsshouldbedesigned,developed,and maintainedtoprovidepassiverecreationalactivitiesforhikingandbiking. 2)Enhanceexistingtrailsorcreatenewhikingtrailsthroughthesubdivisionprocessbyhaving themdedicatedtotheTownwithoutspendingCommunityPreservationfunds. 3)Conductafeasibilitystudythatwouldincluderesearchingtheavailabilityoffunding(publicand private),operation(publicandprivate)andsuggestedlocationofayear-roundgymnasiumand swimmingpoolfacility.Theproposedmulti-purposecomplexmayincludeanextensive gymnasiumwithexerciseequipment,weights,indoorheatedswimmingpooltopermitlap swimming,indoorbasketballcourt,bowlinglanes,andlockers,etc.Thefeasibilitystudywill includethepossibilityofcreatingcollaborationsbetweenfor-profitandnon-profitpartnerships thatcouldmakethecreationandoperationoftheproposedmulti-purposecomplexfinancially viable. 4)Provideaseparateorintegratedyouthcentercontainingping-pong,pooltables,foosball, entertainmentlounge,andsnackbar,whileprovidingroomssuitableforcounseling,career development,andadditionalrecreationprograms. 5)AddanindoorswimmingpooltotheCommunityCenteronFishersIsland. 6)Acquiretwoadditionalplayingfields.Therecreationdirectorreportsthatthereisanoveruseof fieldsintown;specifically,thedepartmentreceivesmanyrequeststouseStrawberryFieldsfor soccer,baseball,andlacrosse.Itwouldbeprudenttoacquiretwoadditionalfieldsof approximately15acres(each)tosupportadditionalrecreationalactivities(fields)andparking. 7)Withinexistingrecreationalsites,developasupervisedskateparkthatrequiresparticipantsto wearappropriategeartopromotesafety,haveparentalpermission,andreleasetheTownfrom liability,etc. 8)WorkwiththePeconicEstuaryProgramtodesignandconstructaBluewaytrailsystem throughoutthePeconicEstuary. 9)ExplorelocationsforavillagegreeninMattituckhamletcenter. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdParks&RecreationCommittee,SoutholdLand PreservationCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard,DepartmentofPublicWorks,SoutholdYouth BureauandFishersIslandCommunityCenter. Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 9 PossiblePartnerships:PeconicEstuaryProgram,YMCA,othernon-profitorprivate entities Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 10 Goal3.AccessibilityandCosts Ensureaccesstobeaches,parks,andrecreationalfacilitiesandparticipationin recreationalprogramsbyresidentsandvisitors. InthepasttheTown’srecreationalneedswereprimarilymetbyschooldistrictsandautonomous parkdistrictsthatdidnotaffordaccesstoallgeographicareasoftheTown.Inrecentyearsthe Townhastakenamoreproactivestanceandhassoughttoincreaseitslandholdingsandthe recreationalfacilitiesthatareavailabletoallresidentsandvisitors.Watersideaccessisprovidedby wayofpublicbeaches,publicroadends,privateassociationbeaches,publicandprivateboatramps, marinas,andmoorings. Mostrecreationalfacilitiesandprogramshavebeenofferedatnochargeorpricedwhererevenues offsetexpenses. AccesstotownbeachesisprovidedbypurchaseofpassesandstickersattheofficeoftheTown Clerk.Year-roundresidentsandpropertyownersmaypurchaseastickerfor$6whileguestsand lesseespay$30pervehicle.Non-residentsmaypurchaseastickerforvehicleandtrailerfor$150 andvisitorspay$25foradailypassforaccesstothreebeaches. TheRecreationDepartmentprovidestheuseoftownfieldsandfacilitiesatnochargefornon- profits,localschools,charitablegroups,littleleagues,etc.Otherusergroupsarechargedafeeto usethefields. Objectives: 1)Providerecreationalopportunitiestoresidentsthatarecentrallylocatedaswellasgeographically tailoredforall10hamlets. 2)Partnerwithexistingsitesandfacilities(i.e.,PeconicLandinginGreenportWesthamlet,Human ResourceCenterinMattituck)toofferprogramsindifferentgeographicalareasintownfor residentswhodonotwanttotraveltoPeconic. 3)UtilizeParksandRecreationfeestoensurethatrecreationalfacilitiescomplywiththeAmericans forDisabilitiesAct. 4)Deliverprogramsandactivitiesthatarereasonablypricedsothatmosthouseholdsareableto participate. 5)PromotediscussionwithParksDistrictstoenablealltownresidentstheabilitytoaccessParks Districts;thisaccesscouldbeintheformofatown-wide“beachpass”thatresidentscould purchase. 6)EngagetheresidentsofFishersIsland(viasurveys,focusgroups,etc.)toconveytheirneedsin ordertodevelopappropriateactivitiesandprogramstobeofferedonFishersIsland. 7)Enhancethepromotionofrecreationalactivitiesthroughcontinuedadvertisinginlocalpapers aswellasemailnotification,socialmedia,andwebsitepostings. 8)Createacentraldatabaseofrecreationalofferingsthatincludeactivitiesnotsponsoredbythe TownandpostontheTown’swebsite. Parks&Recreation SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 11 ResponsibleParties:RecreationDepartment,SoutholdTownBoard,TownClerk, PeconicLanding,HumanResourceCenter,ParksDistricts Goal4.PromotingHealthandWellness Initiateatown-widewellnesscampaigntoimprovephysicalandmentalhealth. AstheSoutholdParksandRecreationDepartmentevolvesintoprovidinggreatereducational opportunitiesforthepublic,opportunitiesexisttointroducepeopletomanywaystooptimize healthylifestyles. Objectives: 1)WorkwithSchoolDistrictstodevelopa“fitpass”allowingresidentstheopportunitytouse schoolfacilities(playground,gymnasium)duringeveninghours. 2)OffereducationalclassesthroughoutTownwithtopicsrelatingtostressmanagement,obesity, smoking,depression,etc. 3)Providerecreationalactivitiesinconjunctionwithclassestomaximizetheabilitytopromote betterhealth.Thiscouldincludeposters,informationpackets,andresources. 4)Workwithschoolsandhumanserviceproviderstotailormoreprogramsthatsupportalifestyle absentofalcohol,tobacco,anddrugstolocalyouthandtweens. 5)WorkwiththeHumanResourceCentertotailorprogramstowardseniors. 6)Sponsormonthlycontestsandactivitiesthatwillofferprizesforchangingbehaviorstomore healthylifestyles. ResponsibleParties:RecreationDepartment,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofHealth, SoutholdYouthBureau,Schools,HumanResourceCenter PossiblePartnerships:SchoolDistricts,EasternLongIslandHospital,Southampton Hospital,PeconicBayMedicalCenter,StonyBrookHospital,CornellCooperativeExtension, SuffolkCountyDepartmentofHealth,NewYorkStateOfficeofAlcoholismandSubstanceAbuse Services,SuffolkCountyPreventionResourceCenter