Hempstead Lake State Park Alliance to Participate in Park Cleanup

New York State Department of Parks and Recreation is planning to bring people into parks statewide on May 4 for "I Love My Park Day" and have park lovers participate in various projects that day while enjoying the beauty of the parks.

One park that will be participating in this event is the Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead. A park clean up is scheduled for that day and the recently formed non-profit group, the Hempstead Lake State Park Alliance (HLSPA), will be there helping out

Stemming from the success of a park clean up in November 2011 where approximately 100 people attended, residents of local towns came up with an idea to create a non-profit group that would work with the park employees to help clean the park. Chris Carter, Joel Ruiz and Adia Bethel, of West Hempstead, along with Teresa Reid, of Floral Park, have formed the HLSPA, a friend of the park organization.

“State parks don’t receive the budget they once did and because of that they can’t keep up with maintenance and provide programs for the public and who better to help than the people from the local communities,” said Chris Carter, president of the group. “We created the non-profit to bring attention to the park, to showcase it’s beauty and numerous resources all while doing some good for the park, and in this case, participating in the park clean-up on May 4. Bringing awareness of the park to the surrounding communities is our number one priority.”

On May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the HLSPA will be participating in a park cleanup along the shores of the northwest pond at the park and are hoping that people in the community will come down and help out with the cleanup. Afterwards, those who help can enjoy a BBQ that HLSPA will provide.

Garbage bags, pick sticks and gloves will be provided by the Parks Department.

Scouting troops, environmental groups and concerned citizens should feel free to contact the HLSPA and join in the fun on May 4. The HLSPA can be contacted at http://www.facebook.com/HLSPA, via email at HLSPANY@gmail.com or on their website www.HLSPA.org.