The Spring Cleanup dates went on without a hitch.   We got lucky with the weather both times, so there was no need for a rain date.   We had a better turnout of volunteers on the second date, and for the first time since I've run the cleanups, we received help from another park user group!   Five energetic members of the North Shore Audubon Society came out. 

President Mary Normandia, worked alongside her husband Sam Crosby, her friend Lindy Nielsen, and the husband and wife team of Joyce and Don Byrk.  It was delightful to have running commentary on the birds they spotted while we were out working.   I'm going to try to get one of the Audubon members to give a talk on some local and migrating birds we may look for while riding. 

We shared stories of red tailed hawk sightings and some of their unusual behavior.  I related the time I rode out and encountered a hawk who would fly the trail with overhead trees that form a tunnel and land a little ahead-observe horse and rider, let us get very close and then take off, only to fly down the "tube" a little more, land, and watch again until it tired of the game or the trail ended.  I hope that more preserve users catch the Audubon “can do” spirit!

Many thanks to Susan Harvey who trailered in a quad again, manned by her daughter Elea and her friend Tyler Cranz.  Having a quad to carry people, tools and fuel to tight areas of the preserve is a huge time and energy saver.  It’s really nice to see teens giving of their time!

A few volunteers were pleasantly surprised to walk away with little thank you gifts since we ran a cleanup raffle again.  Thank you to Mollie Eckleberry, who donated packages of her lovely hand-drawn nature notecards, and to Michael Skurnick for his lusty red wine donation! 

Many thanks to those who showed up---some on both dates:

Wendi Slavsky                                   Lindy Nielsen

Kathleen Kleinman                            Dorothy Velthaus

Elea Harvey                                        Tyler Cranz

Karen Velthaus                                   Joyce and Don BrykMary Normandia

Holly Kleinman                                  Sam Crosby

Pam Pollack                                        Barbara Croen

Diane Gormley                                   Susan Harvey

Ed Wrigley                                         Barbara Palm

Pat Van Nostrand                               Tony Cellini

Sam Slavsky

Thank you also to those who worked independently other times:

Debbie and Jerry Napp

Phyllis Waxenberg

Cathy Cerrano

Robin Zwerling

Penny Schimmel

Cleanup during the last week of August/first week of September was co-ordinated by Diane Gormley.  Call 922-TAIL to coordinate. I can supply tools and get the quad again.

Riders are still reporting deer sightings on the trails-so do be cautious.   Who would have thought it possible in such a congested area! The developer building the two McMansions on the trail leading to Hunter’s Moon Farm has been asked to remove the boulders that were “accidentally” deposited on the trail.  If there is no cooperation, we will take the matter up with village trustees.  There has also been ATV activity in that same area!  Trails along this area are also in need of trimming– low overhead branches– call our hotline to help out!

A few MHA board members arranged a meeting at the preserve with Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Richard Murphy on May 14^th.  It was an opportunity to talk about some of our concerns about park maintenance and the need to replace the fencing.  We surveyed the fencing on both sides of the preserve and he was able to see it’s run down condition first hand.  While he agreed with our assessment, Mr. Murphy spoke to us about the difficulties of getting County approval and funds for the job. (Serves only few people in a passive use park.)

He confirmed the “squeaky wheel” theory of getting things done and told us that there needs to be a letter writing campaign.  Please write to him and ask for the fencing to be replaced.  The same letter can be sent to all three men:

Commissioner of Parks and Recreation --- Mr. Jose Lopez

Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Rec.--- Mr. Richard Murphy

Assistant Commissioner of Museums and ---Mr. Tracey Kay

Address for all three: Administration Building, Eisenhower Park, Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, New York 11554.

On July 9^th, a committee of five (myself, Ginny and Bill Uhlinger, Barbara Palm, and Diane Gormley) met with Deputy Commissioner Tracy Kay who is working on a master plan for the Muttontown Preserve.  Mr. Kay, who assumed his position a little more than a year ago, realized that there was no master plan in place for the future care and usage of the many museums and greenspaces the County owns.  He is beginning the process with a plan for the preserve and wanted some input from our association. The meeting, which took place in Nassau Hall on the preserve’s south side, also included Executive Coordinator Eileen Kreib and was very cordial and productive.

We spoke about concerns the association has with the dilapidated fencing, footing maintenance problems, delays in county cleanup of trees too large for MHA crews to clear, enforcement of park regulations, concerns of the volunteer mounted patrol personnel, and possible solutions to these issues.  We gave him some resources to check into with contacts at various parks operating in Suffolk that include equestrian trails and barns.   We again requested that the fencing of the rings and paddocks be replaced and we will continue to be active in helping Mr. Kay prepare the master plan.  MHA will sponsor a VIP ride in the preserve again this fall for the Nassau Parks and Recreation Commissioners.   It will give them an opportunity to explore the preserve and see it in a way they haven't experienced yet.

Right through most of January, Mother Nature had been pretty kind, doling out many days of mild temperatures. The reality of Global Warming was evident! But as I’m writing this article, ice encases everything outside and the recent string of frigid days continues to make indoor activities very appealing. The nasty ice storm and the severe rain / wind storms before it, have wreaked havoc on the trees in the preserve. I’ve had many reports of downed trees and there will be an enormous amount of trail clearing to do when the spring rolls in. MHA has planned 2 cleanup dates in Spring:  April 7 and April 28, times of  9:30 am-12:30pm- lunch break-1:00pm-4:00pm.  We may add a third date later depending on Spring Storms. Professional help will be limited so I’m hoping for a strong volunteer turnout.

In addition to asking readers to help with the cleanups, I’m also asking you to call or write to Jose Lopez, Commissioner of Nassau County Parks (his office is located in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow) to improve the fencing of both the show rings and the mounted unit paddocks in the preserve. The fencing is in deplorable condition and needs to be replaced. The mounted unit horses cannot be turned out unless they are under supervision since the wild vines are the only things holding up the fence! These old ranger horses deserve better than that and so do the park users at the rings.

Latest Developments

No news from either the Kirby / Stone Hill Developers or the Village on the creation or extension of the proposed trail there. Several model homes are already up as well as a stone wall with landscaping along Jericho Turnpike.

MHA continues to monitor the situation with the Hall Estate as it progresses.  Kathleen Kleinman and Wendi Slavsky will meet with Rick Webel (of the design firm Innocente & Webel) to discuss incorporating trails into the development plan.  There are many people who would like to see Nassau County use some of the Environmental Bond money to protect a portion of the estate. At this juncture, total protection of the estate seems unlikely. The family had initially been involved in the county program during the first environmental bond process, but later withdrew.  Presently the plan is to develop the property.

I had meetings with Legislators Judy Jacobs and Diane Yatauro regarding their role in helping to preserve Nassau horse farms and preventing the sale of the 4H Camp in Riverhead. The Nassau County Legislature is the body that votes to approve the open space nominations and county land sales (such as the 4H camp). Please take the time to write a short letter to ask that priority be given to horse properties on the environmental bond nomination list (since there are so few boarding facilities left in the county) and that the camp not be sold to assist in balancing county budget. (Run by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the camp is an irreplaceable resource for the county’s children).  There aren’t any other county sleep away camps and the setting incorporates 148 acres that run down to meet beautiful L.I. Sound shoreline. Taxpayers shouldn’t allow this remarkable spot to be sold off for short- term gain. Please take time to write!

Jericho Preserve- Sadly the “Party” involved in RFP to develop an equestrian facility at the County owned Jericho Preserve has pulled out.  A good portion of the property lies in Muttontown and some in Jericho.  The location at the Jericho Preserve is high profile.  Another Nassau boarding barn is needed badly, and the plans, which included restoration of the dilapidated red barn, looked terrific.

The former Lakeview Stables off Hempstead Lake State Park got a second chance at life. The developers, who purchased the site to build condos, received so much negative feedback on their proposal at the local public hearing, they decided to clean the property up and reopen as Lakewood Stables.  So far they have been in the news a few times- all good publicity.  The new owners hope to make a go of it and the equestrian community wishes them much success.  If in the area, stop in and pay a visit take a look at what they have done.

Former Calumet Farm, now called Hunters Moon Farm, welcomes new manager Jen Griffin.  The property owners plan on expanding their improvements to the facility. The barns and accessory buildings have already been completely refurbished and the paddocks and rings are slated to have the fencing replaced when the weather improves. An indoor arena is also in the planning stages.

Agway / Chestnut Vale Feed: Congratulations and best wishes to Sue Baroka and crew on their new location by the Wantagh Parkway overpass on Cantiague Rock Road.  (If you come from the east from Jericho Turnpike/Brush Hollow Road, the facility is on the right side of the road, just after the Center for Specialized Veterinary Care).