Abbey Lane Elementary School's Garden Club, with the assistance of the school district, Levittown Vocational Center's Landscaping and Floral Design students, local civic associations, and businesses, as well as a grant from Newsday's Future Corps program, spent last Saturday morning planting a community garden in the front of the school.

Despite the rainy morning, Abbey Lane Principal Lisa Ruiz, Abbey Lane parents teachers, and students, Levittown Board of Education members, Levittown Community Council members and local elected officials went to work planting a variety of greenery and flowers to beautify the school. The purpose of this event was not only to beautify the school and community, but to promote student environmental awareness.

Paul Granger, Abbey Lane School PTA Environment Committee chairperson, noted that the garden beds were prepared for the planting by students from the Levittown Vocational Center's Landscape and Floral Design program. This involvement was significant, according to Granger, because working on this project brought the high school and elementary school students together.

At the planting of the community garden, Granger expressed the hope that the garden "grows successfully, like our children."

On hand to help the Abbey Lane students, parents, and teachers with the planting was Levittown Community Council President Louise Cassano, School Board Trustee Diane Shapiro, State Assembly members Kate Murray and Marc Herbst, Nassau County Comptroller Fred Parola, Legislator Dennis Dunne, County Executive Thomas Gulotta's representative Jerome Donahue, and Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce President Gary Hudes.

Assemblywoman Murray, in the midst of planting, noted that she was a graduate of Abbey Lane. Granger stated he was very impressed with Murray's willingness to pull on gloves and literally "dig in" even though she was dressed to attend another event later in the day. He added that he was impressed with Hudes' landscaping ability and knowledge, noting that they had received some additional plants after the plans for the garden had been completed and Hudes was able to tell them which plants should go where and why. "I now realize why he is involved in the New York State DOT's Hempstead Turnpike project," said Granger.

Thanking everyone for their participation and willingness to come out in spite of the inclement weather, Principal Ruiz stated that she believes the school will look beautiful with this garden. Ruiz also noted that when students, under teacher Mrs. Moretti's guidance, wrote letters to local nurseries, Hicks Nursery responded with $150 worth of plants and a discount on anything else that was needed for the garden. She added that other local businesses and civic organizations made donations as well.

"I was very pleased with the turnout and support. It really coordinated with our efforts to make this a community garden," concluded Granger after the garden was completed.