Hyde Profile: Parks & Recreation Chairman Rich Pallisco

For the past eight years, has been giving back to New Hyde Park Village -- the Village that served as a home for his family, the Village that he watched his two children grow up in and the Village he is so passionate about honoring.

Pallisco, who has been a resident of the Village of New Hyde Park for the past 14 years, spent more than half of that time volunteering and serving his community as part of the Village’s Beautification and Parks and Recreation departments.

 “The passion and love I have for the Village and giving back to the community” is what drives his efforts, Pallisco said.

While working for the , Pallisco spent his downtime serving as a board member for the Beautification Committee and spent countless hours cleaning up the . It is this dedication and drive to preserve his Village that has earned Pallisco his role as the newly-appointed chairman of the Park and Recreational Department of New Hyde Park.  

“I have been involved as a board member for several years, but now being the chairman is a real honor,” Pallisco said of his new job.

As chairman of Parks and Recreation, Pallisco is actively involved in several projects including the new basketball courts that have recently been installed in Memorial Park and several summer and fall programs and activities for kids within the Village.

“I live in this Village, I like the close knit Village and the people,” Pallisco said.

As chairman of the Parks and Recreation Department, he plans on continuing the Village’s popular Children Recreational Program which is a free summer program offering activities such as arts and crafts, games and sports to Village children between the ages of six and 12.  He is also spearheading a kids instructional basketball camp for young boys 10-years-old through 14-years-old starting this summer and a flag football league starting in the fall. He also plans to arrange other activities for both boys and girls throughout the year.

Pallisco, who says he “likes to see the parks full of kids,” admits that his primary goal as chairman is to continue to provide services to kids within the community, giving them constructive yet fun activities to keep them positively entertained.

 “I do it mainly for the kids," Pallisco said. "My kids grew up in this neighborhood, so I want to do something to give back."

Although he is honored with his latest title and is pleased to do his job, Pallisco admits that he has had a hand in making all of his efforts come to life.

“They have given me everything I needed to make these programs a success,” Pallisco said as he thanked Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio, the board of trustees and Village Hall administration for their support.

While Pallisco is humbled by the support he has received, others such as Thomas Gannon, Superintendent of Public Works, is humbled by Pallisco and his devotion to the Village.

“He is involved in everything and the man asks for nothing back in return,” Gannon said. “I have never seen anybody volunteer as much as him and he follows up, he sits to the end. He is a go-getter; when he says he is going to do something, he does it.”

Pallisco is appealing to Village residents to volunteer their time or services to the Village. If you or someone you know is interested in starting a program for youths or would like to volunteer in any way, contact Rich Pallisco at the Village Hall at 516-354-0022

Hyde Profile is a series of articles about people who have made an impact on and play a key role in New Hyde Park.