By Pat Biancaniello
A large group of Kings Park Interact Club students showed up enmasse Tuesday afternoon at the Nissequogue River State Park. The students had volunteered to do a fall clean up at the park’s Healing Garden.
The students, under the watchful eye of club advisor Susan Portnoy, raked, weeded, mulched and edged. Brian Schweizer, assistant park director, was amazed at the number of volunteers. Brian provided the expertise and the tools the students provided the labor and the good will. A winning combination as a lot was accomplished.
The weather couldn’t have been better and the volunteers couldn’t have been nicer. Despite being garden novices the volunteers were hard workers who took their work seriously. The garden looked significantly better when they left.
The garden was created by the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club and the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation. Dr. Tim Eagen, superintendent of the Kings Park School District, is also a member of the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club which sponsors the Interact Club. He is supportive of the volunteer efforts of his students and club advisor Susan Portnoy.
The Nissequogue River State Park Foundation is a not-for-profit organization devoted to working diligently with the New York State Office of State Parks, Recreation & Historical Preservation and our government representatives to enhance and beautify the Nissequogue River State Park. We are committed to protecting and preserving the park’s historical and environmental assets for present and future generations.