For the past three years, the Friends of Massapequa Preserve have helped lead a spirited campaign to designate the three-mile long Bethpage State Parkway corridor as either an undeveloped, passive use State park, or as the southern extension of Bethpage State Park. These forgotten and unnamed woods have fallen victim to dumping, fires, off-road vehicles and constant late night parties. Over 50 elected officials and many individuals and groups such as the Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale, have written to NY State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro in favor of this new park proposal; as of this date, Commissioner Castro has not yet recognized or supported their requests for establishing safe, positive family recreation in the Farmingdale-North Massapequa area.

It is with this goal in mind that the friends of Massapequa Preserve have joined the LI Greenbelt Trail Conference in leading a guided hike through the woods to highlight the problem and natural beauty most of the public rarely sees. Everyone is invited to join this hike on Sunday, June 4, at 1 p.m. Children over 10 are welcome. Rain will cancel the hike. Please wear sneakers or comfortable walking shoes - no sandals. Meet where the Bethpage Bikeway crosses the northbound Bethpage State Parkway, Exit B-2 (Boundary Ave. exit); park by the exit on Northwest Drive or in the nearby CVS lot on Merritts Road. For further information, call the Friends of Massapequa Preserve at 541-2461.

Rich Schary
President
Friends of Massapequa Preserve