Residents and community leaders urge Town of Babylon to preserve Mac Academy at Boulder Mac Park

Dozens of residents and community leaders told the Town of Babylon Board during the open portion of its July 9 meeting that Boulder Mac Park’s Mac Academy (MAC) should be preserved and supported by the town.

Supporters said the program — which one speaker said began in February 2017 — provides youth mentorship, sports opportunities and vendor exposure, and helps keep young people engaged. “I founded Boulder Mac Park, the Mac Academy in 02/2017,” said Andre Iodigi, who identified himself as the program’s founder and gave a Wyandanch address. Dan Lloyd, a resident who described the program’s record, told the board, “We have had less than 3 incidents in 504 days. We have had less than 3 incidents in 9 years and less than 3 incidents in 72 weeks.”

Why it matters: speakers said the MAC offers a sustained, local outlet for youth and that ending or restricting the program would remove a key community resource. Several speakers asked the board to explore supporting the program with town resources or facilities and to preserve vendor and community access during large events.

Supporters described community benefits beyond sport. Sandra Barnes, who said she attends and helps at events, told the board: “You are actually saving lives. So if you cancel this program, the lives are gone.” April Smith, a local entrepreneur who organizes vendors, said events tied to the MAC drive local business and outreach, noting vendors and community organizations distribute resources at tournaments. Several speakers said the program has produced college opportunities for participants; one parent said her son earned a full scholarship connected to exposure at MAC events.

Speakers also acknowledged occasional incidents but said they were infrequent and that town public safety had been present at events. Bishop Walter Willie, a local minister, said, “They’re doing an excellent job,” and called for the community and town to work through occasional problems. Attendees said they had gathered signatures in support; Dan Lloyd reported “over 700 signatures” and said supporters had collected written statements describing the program’s impact.

Requests made to the board included providing a dedicated building or low-interest town loan to allow the MAC to expand beyond park-based activities, increased coordinated security and formalized collaboration with town public safety. Sandra Barnes urged officials to “provide him with a loan to build his own building” and to keep the program running. Several speakers asked the town to treat the program as a partner in preventing youth violence by keeping activities available and supervised.

What the board did: the remarks occurred during the meeting’s open portion; speakers said they were meeting with town staff and expected a hearing the next day. No board vote or formal action on the MAC was recorded on July 9.

Community context and details: speakers named the program Boulder Mac Park and Mac Academy, said it has operated since 2017, and reported vendor and local-business benefits from tournament days. Several speakers identified addresses (Amityville and Wyandanch) and said many participants are local; one supporter called for mentorship and youth-center capacity to expand the program’s reach.

Next steps: speakers said they planned further meetings with town staff and expected a hearing soon; no ordinance, contract, loan or formal town commitment was recorded at the July 9 session.