On a sunny day far removed from the destructive winds of Hurricane Sandy, Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson was officially reopened on Wednesday after being closed down for removal of debris and replanting after the big storm.
“This is really a community park. It needs to be available,” said Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman.
Kaiman said the Fanny Dwight Clark Memorial Foundation, which has been one of the 12-acre park’s biggest boosters, donated $20,000 to help the 50 trees lost to the hurricane last fall.
“We share that goal of theirs,” Kaiman said.
Kaiman also thanked Dr. Harvey Manes for his $10,000 donation to the park.
“When you come to the park, you feel a sense of peace,” said Manes. “It goes to a good cause and we hope you keep it up.”
He said Grenville Clark, who donated the land that became the garden, was a prominent peace advocate.
Ryan Torres, horticulturist for the Town of North Hempstead, said more than 40 trees would be replaced at the park, which had originally been acquired from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
She said the hurricane left “tons and tons” of debris to be removed. Some trees not actually felled by the storm had to be removed while others needed pruning.
Now stumps are being ground or removed, she said, “trying to get rid of the memory of the hurricane.”
Torres said oaks, white pines and wild cherry trees were the storm’s primary victims. The trees lost, she added, were between 20 feet and 60 feet tall.
“It will be a long time before Clark Botanic is the same,” Torres said.
She estimated the tree replacement will ultimately cost between $15,000 and $25,000. She said repairs were also needed for bluestone-covered garden paths.
“It’s a wonderful thing to have in the town,” said Town Councilman Tom Dwyer who chairs the town ecology commission.
The reopening ceremony, which included a symbolic ribbon-cutting by Kaiman, was a prelude to the town’s 8th annual EcoFest at Clark Botanic this weekend.
Kaiman said the festival will feature live music and animals and ecology-related booths.
The EcoFest takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with the park opening for visitors at 10 a.m.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
