A group of concerned residents gathered in the woods behind Farmingdale High School on Sunday, June 12 to discuss the deterioration and recent adolescent activity that has been concerning parents. Organized by Farmingdale's Project Cope Committee, the walk through the woods brought together parents, government officials, concerned residents and environmentalists.

The group was founded in the late 1980s by District Administrator and Co-Chairperson Ellen Krammer and is made up Farmingdale schools staff, PTA and community residents who work to create more community awareness. The group creates a forum for parents to discuss the issues relating to their children and meet several times a year for these reasons.

"We need parents with the ability to tell them [the children] that they are children," said Ellen Krammer. "When parents start saying no, the need for this group will disappear."

The issue of dangers in the woods due to recent reports led to this planned walk in the woods organized by Project Cope Co-Chairperson Charles Gosline and committee member Connie Fisher.

"If they are coming to the high school after dark, they are not doing what their parents want them to be doing," said Gosline.

Concern for the students in the community is important to Project Cope, but so is the land on which these problems are occurring.

"It's not only the safety of the students we are worried about, but also the effect these damaging events have on the deterioration of the park," said Gosline.

This walk, which Gosline and Fisher would like to see take place each year, was planned to show community members the abused areas of the park and get the attention of local government officials. With the help of Friends of Massapequa Preserve President Rich Schary, the group traveled the deteriorating path strewn with debris.

Their efforts did indeed get the attention of the governmental officials. Assemblyman Joseph Saladino, a lifelong resident of Massapequa attended the walk and assured those there that he has been working since his election to put more resources into the area.

"It is very important for everyone to recognize this beautiful, natural resource and to appreciate it and protect it," said Saladino.

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joe Muscarella agreed with Saladino that it is important to get the town involved and get these problems solved.

"This is a great joint effort between the town, county and state to make known the problems of the preserve," said Muscarella.

In recent months and years community members have been afraid of this area of the woods, due to the drinking and gang violence reported. Kathy Hinck a mother and resident of Farmingdale for 22 years has personal reasons for attending the event. Her son was attacked in these woods two years ago and his bicycle was stolen. Since then, Hinck has been very involved with the community and a member of the Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale.

"It's a very secluded area and no one pays attention to it," said Hinck. "The community needs to get involved and pay attention and that's how it stops."

CCAF President Michael Grello also felt that this walk would be very important to the community and its future.

"This is a great opportunity for the residents of the community to find out about the preserve," Grello said. "They can find out what's happening and what is not happening."

Thirteen-year Farmingdale resident Joe Leone is father to two elementary school students and, although his children are not affected by the dangers of these woods, he knows the importance of what the cleanup means to their futures.

"It's important to address these problems now so they can enjoy this land in years to come," said Leone.

Legislator David Mejias explained to attendees that the county has already begun work to get the area cleaned up. He also explained his new ATV bill. ATVs prove to be an additional problem in these woods and with this new ATV bill fines of $100 to $500 will be given to those caught with the ATVs in the parks for first offenses and $1,000 for second offenses.

Tom Sabellico, Farmingdale Community Summit Council president and Republican/Conservative candidate for county legislator in the 14th District, was also present at the walk. Sabellico, who lives very close to this area, said it has always been one of concern.

"We need to get more groups involved and get the area back and not let it turn into waste," said Sabellico. "We can get it solved if we get everyone at the same table."

Vice President of the Farmingdale Board of Education Tina Diamond participated in the walk because she has always felt the parents should be kept aware of the situations that arise in the community.

"I believe in preserving the community, making parents aware and helping authorities keep the community safe," said Diamond.

The Friends of the Massapequa Preserve, which consist of 250 families, has seen many projects of this nature. Friends of Massapequa Preserve President Rich Schary feels that if the different levels of government help, this piece of land can be saved and the community can again enjoy it.

"This entire area has been taken advantage for too many years and it is up to those people who care to take it back," said Schary.

Schary believes that the best solution for the problem would be to make the Viceroy section of this wooded area part of the Massapequa Preserve and the area beyond Bethpage Parkway part of Bethpage State Park.

"Just because we don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Schary said.