From a beautiful brook with fresh-water fish to tranquil trails and seaside sparrows, the charms of Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve have attracted international attention and admiration. Now, the landfill-turned-nature-preserve will serve as a model to Argentine government officials who are looking to convert landfills into environmentally friendly sites.
On June 11, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla hosted a delegation of officials from Argentina at the Norman J. Levy Nature Preserve in Merrick. The town's representatives detailed the Town of Hempstead's highly successful transformation of the former Merrick Landfill into a public park and a sprawling sanctuary while saving taxpayers millions of dollars over the cost of traditional landfill capping. The environmental victory has been the subject of a book, a Nickelodeon documentary and has served as a prototype for other governments from New York City to China.
"We are thrilled to be hosting a group of Argentine visitors who share our passionate commitment to environmental conservation," Murray said. "At a time when 'going green' is red hot, the town is anxious to be demonstrating how other governments can turn ecological liabilities into environmental assets."
In October 2000, the former Merrick Landfill was converted into an environmental masterpiece with an array of wildlife and plants indigenous to Long Island. In addition to restored wetlands and prairie plant communities, the park features kayak and canoe ramps, hiking and walking trails, exercise stations, butterfly houses and nesting areas for Diamondback Terrapins, turtles that live in saltwater wetlands. The park also offers guided kayak eco-tours. The preserve's summit reaches 115 feet and provides incredible views of New York City, the Jones Beach Tower and the Great South Bay.
"Residents love how peaceful and beautiful the park is," Murray stated. "It has been a great asset to our community."
Supervisor Murray and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla accompanied the Argentine visitors on a tour of the 52-acre preserve. The tour's highlights included the trademark windmill used to circulate water into two man-made ponds that provide a habitat for fresh-water wildlife and a 500-foot fishing pier into Merrick Bay constructed of Cumaru, an environmentally friendly hardwood from Peru.
"I am proud that our innovative governmental initiatives are attracting the attention of governments around the globe," said Bonilla. "I hope that many other governments will be able to benefit from our very positive experience."
The international guests learned about the park's planning and construction from representatives of Lockwood Kessler and Bartlett Inc., the consulting engineers on the Levy Preserve project.
The Argentine officials who visited Levy Park and Preserve included Juan Picolotti, Argentine Secretary of Environmental Affairs; Roberto Felipe Ravale, Senator for Buenos Aires Province; Monica Capellini, Municipal Secretary of Production and Environmental Affairs; Baldomero Alvarez De Olivera, Mayor of Avellaneda; and Francisco Virgilio Gutierrez, Mayor of Quilmes.
"The Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve has been one of the town's environmental treasures," Murray said. "I encourage other municipalities to find similar ways to preserve, protect and improve the environment through the creative use of a waste disposal site."
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NATURE - LEVY PARK & PRESERVE - Merrick, NYby musicom674,587 views
Norman J Levy Park and Preserve shows how town government can do things right - for environment, wildlife, citizens.
annParryPhotography 1 year ago
We now need Kate to do for the county what she has done for the TOH. Kate in 2009!!
nmfd72 3 years ago