Smithtown Unveils 2026 Capital Plan for Parks, Town Buildings, Public Safety

A slate of parks upgrades, municipal building repairs and continued work on a new public safety headquarters will reshape Smithtown’s public spaces and services after the town published its 2026 Capital Budget Improvements plan on Jan. 20, 2026. The program targets recreation, historic sites and core municipal infrastructure with projects intended to boost accessibility, stormwater resilience and everyday amenities.

Parks and recreation are front and center. The plan funds exterior restorations at Sweetbriar Nature Center and adds new pickleball and tennis courts at the Armory campus, alongside sports lighting upgrades for the football field. Burrwinkle Park will receive a state-of-the-art turf baseball field and ADA upgrades, while the kiddie pool at the Smithtown Pool Complex is slated to be replaced with a modern water-play feature. Cy Donnelly Park will see parking and access improvements designed to ease arrival and circulation for families and park users.

Infrastructure and safety projects aim to address both long-standing maintenance needs and climate-related vulnerabilities. A major drainage and reconstruction project at Hoyt Farm is intended to curb stormwater problems and improve pedestrian safety. The plan also highlights façade and roof work across the Town Hall campus and a new dedicated equipment storage facility for Parks to support ongoing maintenance demands.

Inside municipal buildings, the town allocated funds for interior renovations at the Town Clerk and Comptroller offices and improvements to the Assessor’s office. The release notes construction progress on a new Public Safety Headquarters, marking continued investment in facilities that house emergency and law enforcement operations. Project rollouts are expected to be phased, with planned ribbon cuttings as key pieces are completed.

Funding strategy includes active pursuit of external grants. The town will seek state grants for all-abilities playgrounds, signaling a push to expand inclusive play options that meet ADA standards and serve residents with a range of mobility and sensory needs. The capital plan frames these efforts as part of a broader commitment to equity in public spaces.

For Smithtown residents, the plan translates to tangible benefits as well as short-term inconvenience. Improved courts, fields and a water-play feature will expand recreational choices and accessibility, while drainage work and building restorations aim to reduce future repair costs and protect public safety. Construction activity will likely bring temporary closures, detours and contractor staging in neighborhood parks and public building lots as projects move through planned phases.

As projects advance, the town has signaled that ribbon cuttings and phased updates will mark milestones. Residents should watch town announcements for timelines, grant outcomes and opportunities to weigh in on final designs for amenities such as all-abilities playgrounds and park access improvements.