Commack couple helps create park honoring breast cancer survivors, after their own ordeal with the disease

For Tom and Gina Morrissey, building a park in Commack to honor cancer survivors was a rewarding conclusion to a difficult ordeal.

Gina Morrissey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 after learning she was pregnant. While she underwent multiple surgeries, the couple talked about creating a park that would be a destination to honor those who struggled with and survived cancer.

The couple proposed the idea in 2023 to Smithtown officials, and on Wednesday, the park officially opened to the public, with more improvements to come.

Valmont Survivors Park on Marie Crescent has been in the works for three years, with Phase 1 of the project having started last February, Newsday previously reported.

In an interview with Newsday after the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, the couple reflected on their journey to creating the park.

"It’s a relief. ... I’m happy that this was done for the community and also survivors for every type of cancer," said Tom Morrissey, co-chair of the Commack Chamber of Commerce. "I think it’s going to be a special place. I feel this will be the beginning of other communities doing the same thing. A lot of people got involved to help. We couldn’t have done it without all of these members of the community here today."

Gina Morrissey, 60, grew up on the same block as the park and played in it. She said she and her husband "had a lot of time to sit during those surgeries." 

"It’s how he came up with something like this, thinking how people could use some support or some help, courage, coming here and drawing strength, just seeing and knowing they’re not alone and knowing that there’s so many people who are in their situation or have been here," Gina Morrissey said, adding it was "very overwhelming" the first time she stepped onto the walkway of the new park.

Tom Morrissey, who has lived in Commack for over 60 years, said he felt the park could be not only a symbol of hope for cancer survivors, but also a place for Commack residents "that could be a landmark for the community that we can all be proud of and that’s different."

The first phase of the park project featured building a walkway in the shape of a cancer awareness ribbon lined with pink-flowered bushes, the planting of a tree and the installation of benches and a memorial stone with flowers and weeping cherry blossom trees.

Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said at the ceremony the town had put forward initial funding for the project — which officials said was $50,000 to start. Wehrheim said more phases for the park would be coming soon, and it "took a vast number of people to make this come to fruition from all walks of life, from all different businesses and from different government entities."

"This is a very, very special morning and special place," Wehrheim said. "There are so many stories about breast cancer and other cancers specific to Long Island. So to construct a solace facility like this here, where those people could come and reflect and those people can put their mind at ease ... that’s the passion behind what we did here."

Christopher Nelson, president of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown — which was a major donor — said the park is "special" to the hospital. "It’s a reminder that no one should have to face cancer alone," Nelson said.

Elizabeth McNulty, chief nursing officer for the hospital, said at the ceremony her daughter had been diagnosed with breast cancer and survived it, and her children had played at the park when they were young.

"There is something very powerful about seeing a place filled with childhood memories become a place dedicated to survivorship, hope and healing," McNulty said.

Those who wish to purchase engraved bricks to be displayed at the park can visit commackcommunityalliance.com.