Kings Park Interact Students Bring Beauty Back To NRSP Healing Garden

A group of 25 students from Kings Park HS volunteered their time and labor at the Nissequogue River State Park Tuesday, September 26th. The students are members of the school’s Interact Club a service club sponsored by the Commack - Kings Park Rotary Club.

L-R Rotarian Larry Flynn, KP Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tim Eagen, NRSP Park Manager Bill Purtill, NRSP Asst. Mgr. Bill Hein and KPHS Interact Advisor Susan PortnoyThe students chose an optimal time to volunteer since the garden was off limits for most of the summer due to construction and was in desperate need of  of attention. Weeds and overgrown plants had overrun the garden which consists of indigenous plants, a walking path and a dry bed filled with rocks. 

The garden was created in 2013 by the Cormack-Kings Park Rotary Club partnering with the Nissequoque River State Park Foundation, it was designed by Joan Mcgullicuddy, Surrogate Gardener, and installed by Eric Hagenbruch, Finesse Landscaping and Design.

NRSP Park Manager Bill Purtill instructs students tending to the Healing GardenNot only was there a lot to do on the garden, but  there was also a lot to learn. Native plants can look a lot like weeds if you are not a gardner, so Nissequogue River State Park Manager Bill Purtill and the park’s assistant manager Bill Hein were on hand to instruct the volunteers on the finer use of garden tools and the difference between weeds and plants. The volunteers kept focused and threw themselves into the task. Fortunately, the weather was wonderful and the view of the bluff was stunning. The students were able to see that the site, once part of the home of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, has beauty and is calming and inspirational.

Students who join Rotary Interact clubs adhere to the principle of “service above self”. The Kings Park students with the assistance of their advisor Susan Portnoy, a teacher a Kings Park High School, will develop the leadership skills that will help them throughout their life.

NRSP Assistant Manager Bill Hein identifies weeds and plants for studentsThis was not a one-shot deal for the Kings Park students. They plan to return at least two more times this year and into the 2018 school year. The next time the students may have a respite from the weeding, the students may get to do some planting for spring viewing. Interact is more than just getting rid of the chaff it’s also about making things better.

The volunteer work being done by the students is making the park a little nicer for everyone.