Politics & Government

Town Organizes April Cleanups

Town of North Hempstead notebook: $10,000 donation helps clear Clark Botanical Gardens of Sandy debris.

Hurricane Sandy left plenty of debris in its wake.

A group called the Manhasset Crew Team did its part to help speed the recovery process by volunteering to clean up the up North Hempstead Beach Park shoreline in Port Washington.

The April 6 event helped clear waste littering the area, which was inhibiting the growth of native plants and foliage that contribute to the health of the shoreline marshes and wetlands, according to the Town of North Hempstead. The group collected 50 garbage bags of debris along with larger items such as damaged road signs. 

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"The Town Board and I were very impressed by the magnitude of the community’s involvement in cleaning up the shoreline," Supervisor Jon Kaiman said. 

Don’t worry, there’s still plenty you can do.

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The Town has historically supported cleanup efforts in April, but after the Oct. 29 storm struck, there’s more urgency this spring. The initiative, part of the Town’s month-long Earth Day celebration, has several more sites targeted: 

  • April 20, 9 a.m.: Nature Trail Clean up at North Hempstead Beach Park; Organized by Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio. At least 40 fifth graders from Guggenheim Elementary School will be joined by the Schreiber Treehuggers Environmental Club.
  • April 20, 10 a.m.: Manhasset / Great Neck Economic Opportunity Council, 65 High Street, Manhasset (in front of the building); Organized by Councilwoman Anna Kaplan.
  • April 20, 10 a.m.: Side Walk Sweep across from North Hempstead Town Hall, 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset; Organized by Councilwoman Anna Kaplan.
  • April 20, 10 a.m.: High Street residents, bottom of High Street, Manhasset; Organized by Councilwoman Anna Kaplan.
  • April 20, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: Clark Botanic Garden, 193 I.U. Willets Rd; Organized by Councilwoman Lee Seeman. Girl Scouts to volunteer.
  • April 21, 1 p.m.: Ridder’s Pond, Marcus Ave. and Meadow Farm Rd., New Hyde Park; Organized by Councilwoman Lee Seeman. Cub Scouts to volunteer.
  • April 25, 12 p.m.: Herricks Middle School, 7 Hilldale Drive, Albertson; Organized by Councilman Tom Dwyer. An environmental presentation will be given to 300 students, followed by a school grounds cleanup by the students. 

If you want to organize a cleanup elsewhere in North Hempstead, the town will supply materials. Call 311 for information.

Botanical Gardens Reopen

Clark Botanical Gardens in Albertson, closed since Sandy damaged the 12-acre property, will reopen April 24. 

That’s good timing. The gardens will play host to the Town’s eighth annual Eco-Fest April 27-28 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The free festival features crafts, lawn games, musical performances and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Philanthropist Harvey Manes donated $10,000 to Clark’s restoration effort, North Hempstead said. The storm toppled 50 trees, damaged the apiary that produces fresh honey, and broke walkways, railings and benches.

Suozzi Campaigns in North Hempstead

Tom Suozzi, who is vying to regain the Nassau County Executive job he lost in 2009, will be at the Albertson VFW April 20 at 10:30 a.m. The North Hempstead Democratic Committee is hosting the meeting, which is open to the public.

The campaign said this is the first of several Suozzi appearances in North Hempstead leading up to the November election. To attend, RSVP by phone at 516-660-1327 or email tonhdemocrats@gmail.com.


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