NARROWSBURG, NY — Members of the Luxton Lake Property Owners Association are giving back to their community by constructing a pavilion in the park. The pavilion went up this past weekend, and will soon be host to jazz concerts and many more events.

Jazz is an integral part of the Luxton Lake community (also known as Lucky Lake). Great jazz musicians have lived there, such as Noble Sissle, and some still do, like 94-year-old Jimmy Smith who has had a house at Luxton Lake since 1967 and has played with all the jazz greats like Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald. Anie Stanley, a homeowner in Luxton Lake and a member of the board, is excited for the park's new addition. She said, “Music ties this community together.” Other people have helped as well, including Jim Sgritto, Jean and Jim Sacket and Anthony Marsanico. They are all part of the close-knit community.

Luxton Lake was a resort destination in the 1950s and ‘60s, and was especially popular with the African American population from New York City. There was a motel and clubhouse where jazz musicians would play to crowds, including local Sullivan County people who would sneak in.

There was also a lake, but it doesn’t exist anymore. In the early 1980s, residents of Luxton Lake watched in horror as the lake was drained by the Department of Environmental Conservation. They said the 100-year-old dam was unstable and posed a threat to the houses below it. However, there was another side of the story presented with some people saying the decision was based on discrimination. A lawsuit was launched, but it was unsuccessful.

After the lake dried up, families who had been there for years were forced out. The clubhouse was abandoned for many years, and was taken down in 2007. But now, the small community is coming back to life. First, the park was created out of very wet and overgrown land. A swing set from the 1940s still stands there. A memorial garden was built in the park to honor those who lived there and those who still do, or who made a contribution in some way to Luxton Lake. There are two flagpoles, one to honor World War II veterans, a rock with plaques of the people’s names, and a rock with song lyrics written by Jimmy Smith honoring Luxton Lake, and of course, many flowers and plants. The garden won a Historical Preservation Award from Sullivan Renaissance in 2011.

The pavilion is being funded by Anthony T Marsanico and his family and friends, Jim Smith and members of the Luxton Lake Property Owners Association. The pavilion has a concrete floor and is open-air with a roof. It is being built in memory of Anthony Marsanico Jr. and in honor of Jim Smith. There will be a dedication ceremony to be announced soon; it will be held at the end of September or beginning of October. The pavilion was designed by architect Michael Chojnicki and built by Rudy Caiazzo.

There are more plans for the park, including a stage, bathrooms and barbeques. Stanley said, “Luxton Lake is on the comeback. We want to engage in community functions again and beautify the area again.”