Traditionally, the Western Property Owners' Association (WPOA) annually held a barbecue/picnic to celebrate the close of summer and the beginning of the busy fall schedule. This tradition of neighbors and friends in the western section of the Village coming together to share games, food, and entertainment out in the sunshine had become just a memory until this summer, when WPOA President Gerard Lundquist and the members of the WPOA decided to revive this event. Garden City Bird Sanctuary Director Rob Alvey was also considering coordinating an event to promote the Bird Sanctuary, providing tours and information about the Sanctuary. When the WPOA and the Bird Sanctuary got together and discussed their similar plans, they decided to combine their efforts to create the first ever WPOA/Bird Sanctuary co-sponsored Picnic in the Park held at Nassau Haven Park.

With literally hundreds of people gathering throughout the day of the event, Sept. 12, the Bird Sanctuary was able to surpass the 100 family mark of members of the Sanctuary. Families were not only able to find out more about the history of the Sanctuary from a display by the Nassau Haven entrance to the Sanctuary, but were treated to tours of the grounds by volunteers. The five-acre Bird Sanctuary has been the recipient of donated time, efforts, and supplies from generous residents of the Village, Boy Scout troops, and recently, the Sigma Kappa Fraternity from Hofstra University. Memorial trees have been sold and planted around the grounds, and landscaping is an ongoing project. Residents were able to see not only what has been done, what the plans are for the future, but how they can get involved and help conserve this space for the welfare of our environment.

The Garden City Fire Department made a special visit to the Sanctuary in the afternoon to water the newly planted seedlings in the Sanctuary. Also during the afternoon, live eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons from the Theodore Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary put on a wildlife show for the thrilled families. The kids were truly amazed by these birds and the wonders of nature, many of them asking how they too could help the environment.

The Recreation Department staff was on hand to help out throughout the day. Football, playing on the park equipment and toss games were popular ways to spend the day with the kids, but perhaps the most popular game was the dance contest provided with the help of D.J.s, The Two Matts. With their high tech computer equipment and speakers and other electrical equipment on loan from the high school, these two young men provided hours of musical entertainment and the sounds for the dancing games.

WPOA President Lundquist commented, "I'm really pleased to see so many people come out and support the Bird Sanctuary and get involved in a WPOA event. I hope the success of this day will inspire the other POAs to organize similar events and really get the Village interested in the work of the POAs and their role in the community again." Rob Alvey said he was pleasantly surpirsed to see "about 400 people" in Nassau Haven Park throughout the day and that a large majority of these people took the time to explore the Bird Sanctuary and really see what the Sanctuary is doing for Garden City's green space.

The WPOA meets at the Homestead School in Garden City on the last Tuesday in January, the second Wednesday in April, the second Wednesday in June, the second Wednesday in September, and the second Wednesday in November. Information about joining the WPOA is available from Village Hall, by calling 742-5800. Membership is open to any resident of the west. To visit the Bird Sanctuary, drive north on Tanners Pond Road and turn left into the entrance, which is just before the one lane part of the road under the stone overhang before Jericho Turnpike. Also, there will be a display for the Garden City Bird Sanctuary at the Fall Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24.

Look for next week's issue of Garden City Life which will feature more scenes from the Picnic in the Park!