The Deer Park community came together to honor one of their own. In 2019, the playground at Fabio Buttitta Park was renamed in honor of fallen NYPD officer, Joseph Piagentini. In 1971, Piagentini, along with his partner Waverly Jones were murdered by members of the Black Liberation Army group.
To further honor Piagentini, members of the Deer Park Junior Community Association decorated and dedicated a little lending library as a tribute to the local hero. Members of the Piagentini family, including Officer Piagentini’s widow, attended the ceremony. Mrs. Piagentini brought books to supply the book exchange.
Little lending libraries have been popping up all over Long Island in the last few years, even at the beach. Little Free Libraries promote book exchange through small public bookcases.
Children who are members of the Deer Park Junior Community Association worked with association leaders to make the library possible.
Photo (back left to right): Town of Babylon Beautification Director Viscel Moore, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Rosaria Luppy of the Deer Park Junior Community Association, Diane Piagentini, Tim Phelan of the Deer Park Junior Community Association, Councilman DuWayne Gregory, Suffolk County first precinct officers Aue and Schieda, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg, and Carol Quirk of the Deer Park Community Association with children from the Deer Park Junior Community Association.