On Wednesday, Nov. 8, The Friends of Massapequa Preserve will observe their Sixth Anniversary at a meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbor Lane.

The organization has invited commissioners from the Nassau County Park Department to share with the local community information about their activities in the Preserve, and to answer questions about any issues of concern.

Friends will also highlight and update the public on six years of progress, while outlining the challenges facing the Massapequa Preserve in the immediate future.

Earlier this month, Richard Schary, Friends' president, sent a letter to Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, updating him on the organization's progress:

"Friends of Massapequa Preserve was organized six years ago in response to the deteriorating condition...of the 423-acre passive preserve. As president of our volunteer organization, with over 300 active members, I am pleased to inform you that this has been our best spring and summer yet; for the first time, after six years of working cooperatively with the county, we have received more compliments than complaints about conditions in the Preserve. Visitors have noticed that for the first time they can recall, the dense overgrowth bordering the paved hike way, which runs the length of the Preserve, has been regularly cut back and appropriately trimmed. This ongoing maintenance provides a critical margin of safety and access on a multi-use path that attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts on warm weekends. Litter is no longer allowed to accumulate along this part, and when there is a call for garbage pickup, it gets done. Finally, there is a system in place, numbers to call, and people who respond to complaints. This effort to maintain and improve Massapequa Preserve did not happen by accident, and problems still crop up on a daily basis within the largest passive-use park in the County."

According to Schary, future plans the county has for the Preserve promise to create some major new issues to deal with, such as the multimillion dollar stream enhancement/pond restoration project, and storm water remediation and other capital improvements that were approved under the 2004 Open Space Bond Act.

In other news, photos of the four seasons of Massapequa Preserve will be on exhibit all throughout November at both branches of the Massapequa Public Library. They will be available for viewing during the organization's open meeting on Nov. 8.