Chaminade Eagle Scout Helps Renovate North Bellmore Neighborhood

A goal of improving neglected land in North Bellmore brought many people together for the good of the community, and a Seaford teen was at the forefront of this neighborhood enhancement project.

The neglected property sat on the corner of Little Neck Avenue and Bellmore Road, and featured four-foot tall bushes that had become littered with garbage. Dan Laverty, who has lived on Herkimer Street in North Bellmore the last six years and rides bikes with his young daughter past the land, decided that for the sake of his child and the community that he wanted something more aesthetically pleasing to look at. Laverty along with the help of Christopher Kustera, an Eagle Boy Scout from Seaford, helped organize a project to clean up the land, which is owned by the Town of Hempstead.

Laverty had the renovation project posted on a website for Eagle Boy Scouts who are looking for projects. Kustera decided he would be the perfect candidate to help.

"It was of particular importance to me because I like to help out in the community with the scouts," said Kustera, a senior at . "I like to attend service projects and I thought that this would be my way to give back to the community and the town that has provided me with so much, so I thought my Eagle Scout project would be best if it benefited them."

There was a lot of planning involved in the organization of the project. First the concept had to be approved by the Town of Hempstead. Mike Zappolo, Hempstead's Deputy Commissioner of Parks, concluded that the project was for the betterment of town residents and therefore authorized it to proceed.

After getting approval for the project, Kustera obtained donations from Island Greenery in Bellmore as well as Wal-Mart and Home Depot. He also organized a drive through St. William the Abbot School and acquired donations from parishioners at the church.

Laverty and Kustera created a plan that included removing weeds, leveling the land and conducting landscaping. Evergreen arborvitae were planted and will act as natural fencing between the town land and a resident that lives in the vicinity of the property. A flower garden that includes perennials was created and benches were also placed in the area.

The project took about three months to complete. Laverty is very pleased with the outcome and said his neighbors have voiced their satisfaction and gratitude with how the project has improving the quality of life in North Bellmore.

"I am very appreciative of the Town of Hempstead and Mike Zappolo from the Department of Parks and I am appreciative to the boy scout program and the eagle scouts for coming out and doing it," said Laverty.

"I think that it will act as a nice gem for the community where the kids can play and take care of each other," said Kustera. "I really see it as a gathering place for the community."