The newly-formed Coalition to Save the Red Spring Woods met recently at a member's home to discuss the possible development of the area property which has always been revered by local residents as a sanctuary to wildlife as well as a recharge water zone. Bordering Valley Road and Red Spring Lane, the 11 acres are situated across from the new Legends development on Red Spring Lane. The property, however, is privately owned. It is commonly known as "the old Hendrickson property" and consists of R1, R2 and R1A zoning.

Fifty local community members attended the recent meeting, representing many local areas including Red Spring Colony, Woolsey Avenue, Whitney Circle, Old Estate Road, Harwood Drive, Red Spring Lane and North Country Colony. In addition, several politicians were there to speak and offer support, including Mayor Ralph Suozzi, Glen Cove City Councilman Tim Tenke and State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine. Also in attendance was Steve Gonzalez, a former city councilman. County Legislator Diane Yatauro was unable to attend but sent a message of support.

Residents have been attending Glen Cove City Council meetings to express their opposition to the development of the area, although the Glen Cove Planning Board has not yet begun any action. According to Lois Stemcosky, secretary of the planning board, "A preliminary application has come before the planning board and is currently in the hands of Stuart Turner, the board's consultant. He is reviewing it at this time."

Members of the Red Spring Woods Coalition arranged a walking tour of the area, on neighbors' adjacent properties, for Wednesday, Jan. 25 with Senator Chuck Schumer's Long Island regional representative Matt Cohen, Carol Hammond, chief of staff from state Assemblyman Chuck Lavine's office, Glen Cove Deputy Mayor Marilyn Brenner and local environmental and civic group representatives. An invitation to tour the Red Spring Woods has been recently extended to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

According to coalition members Victoria Crosby and Gordon Allan, "The woods are home to many animals and birds, including Red-Tail hawks, which have been seen nesting in the area, screech owls and ruby crowned kinglets. Red foxes have been seen running through the woods. The Red Spring, for which the area was named, has its source in the woods. Biologist Dr. Orland J. Blanchard Jr. volunteered his time and expertise to the coalition to provide a survey of the trees, shrubs and plants found in the Red Spring Woods, that make this area worth preserving in its current state. Ecologists have reported that many enormous old and rare trees live in these woods, trees that have lived much longer than any of us. Many of these are already tagged for destruction and will be destroyed should the property owner decide to build."

For further information, or to volunteer or join the coalition, visit http://savetheredspringwoods.50webs.com, e-mail savetheredspringwoods@yahoo.com or call 676-6270.