(MINEOLA, NY) – Nassau County Legislator Ellen W. Birnbaum (D-Great Neck) was proud to sponsor an Earth Day clean-up of a large storm water basin located north of Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park on Sunday, May 4th. 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.