With heightened awareness of Nassau County's continued precarious financial situation, and the realization that Nassau's outstanding Recreation and Parks programs are "easy targets" that are likely to be shouldering a disproportionate share of the pain that is being caused by the situation, the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) has decided to once again organize Long Island runners to "give something back" to the parks.

GLIRC will be staging the third annual four-mile Sprint for the Parks at Eisenhower Park on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The starting gun for the runners will go off at 7 p.m., with a judged racewalk starting at 7:05 p.m. GLIRC's Lynn Kotler will serve as the race director and David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians will serve as the technical director.

Virtually all of the goods and services necessary to stage a first class race, including shirts donated by Schwab's 2nd Wind ("The Running Authority"), are being donated - including the services of club. The entire net proceeds from the event will be turned over to a special fund set up by the parks department solely for the special needs of Nassau County's Recreational and Parks programs. The money will not go to the county's general fund; it will be used exclusively for parks and recreation purposes.

Through the generosity of Hicks Nurseries, the new "Grove of Champions" will be initiated in a special corner of Eisenhower Park. Trees to be donated each year in honor of the top male runner, top female runner and top wheelchair finisher.

In addition to Schwab's 2nd Wind and Hick's Nurseries, other generous sponsors of the Run include the Mineola law firm of Pollack and Kotler, Fairway Market, Polar Heart Monitors and Snyder's of Hanover.

All local runners, especially those who utilize the parks and care for the future of them, are urged to support Sprint for the Parks. This appeal is not limited just to residents of Nassau County. It is in the interest of Suffolk and Queens residents who participate in the Long Island Marathon and other races at Eisenhower Park, Cedar Creek Park, Wantagh Park and the other fine Nassau County Parks to make sure that Nassau's Parks remain viable and available for events that runners from all over the area can enjoy.

"The $10,000 or so that we hope to raise via this run may not solve all of the problems that the Nassau Parks Department faces, but it is money, a base for establishing a fund that will ensure the future of the partnership between the Long Island running community and the Parks Department," said Kotler. "We are looking for the biggest possible turnout at the Sprint for the Parks on Aug. 13. This is our chance to give something back to our parks and to help ensure their future."

For information or entry forms to the Sprint for the Parks, call GLIRC at 349-7646.