The Nissequogue River State Park Foundation (NRSPF) sponsored activities at the Nissequogue River State Park on Saturday, May 4th. The activities were organized as part of New York State’s “I Love My Park Day”. In addition to NRSPF members, over seventy volunteers armed with gloves, trash bags and grab tools participated in the clean up of the park.
According to John McQuaid, chairperson of the NRSPF, volunteers were an eclectic group. “We were joined by Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 379 and Boy Scout Troop 539 both from Kings Park. Also providing help, Hauppauge HS students, Kings Park HS students, Kings Park Youth and a group called Meet Up.” Some members of Meet Up traveled from Queens to volunteer in the clean up.
In addition to picking up bottles, cans, caps and other debris volunteers spruced up the park’s playground by adding a fresh layer of wood chips.
The NRSPF worked with members of the NYS Parks Deptartment to make the clean up at the park successful. McQuaid said, “NYS Parks Department was extremely helpful by providing support as well as trash bags.”
Other events included a hike and the awarding of certificates to three participants in the 2013 Quilt Square project. Children of all ages used their imagination to create a square with a theme “What Inspires Me.” The individual squares were then tied together to create two quilts which will remain on display througout May. Ribbons were awarded to three participants: 1st - Rachael Berkoff - 2nd - Jacqueline Brandel- 3rd - Maya Smith. Special Commendation recipients: Thomas Bruetsch, Santiago Depascale, Olivia Schulman, Phoebe Swartz, Margaret Pickford, Joel Vegerano. The quilt project is the brainchild of NRSPF member Karin Vanderveer.
To learn more about the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation click here.