Boy Scouts, Volunteers Commended for New Hyde Park Cleanup

Nassau County Legislator Ellen W. Birnbaum, D-Great Neck, who sponsored an Earth Day cleanup in New Hyde Park, said it was local volunteers who made a difference.

As Patch has reported, volunteers cleaned up a large storm water basin located north of Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park on Sunday, May 4. Local resident Donald Panetta helped organize Boy Scout troops from Great Neck and Floral Park along with members of the Temple Tikvah Brotherhood to clean the sump.

The cleanup resulted in a complete transformation of the sump area. Volunteers were able to collect over 100 bags of garbage and recyclables, as well as some miscellaneous items including shopping carts, tires, pipes, and lawn furniture. 

Mindful of the environment, volunteers separated the recyclables from the garbage. It was an extraordinary effort, and the area was left looking almost like a park. Panetta hopes that one day the area can be developed into a bird sanctuary.

Photo 1: Legislator Ellen W. Birnbaum and Assistant Scout Master Donald Panetta. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Photo 2: Daniel Small, North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman, Nassau County Legislator Ellen W. Birnbaum, Donald Panetta Assistant Scout Master Troop 10, and Daren Chan Troop 10. Dillon Rothbort, David Mollon Troop 10, Leon Lei Troop 10, Matthew Dooley Troop 678 of Floral Park. Credit: Courtesy Photo