Communities team up to clean up Silver Lake Park

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State Sen. Todd Kaminsky and residents of Baldwin and Oceanside joined forces for a community cleanup at Silver Lake Park last Saturday. Kaminsky heard about the park from 11-year-old Oceanside resident Zoie Napolitano.

“It wasn’t fair to the animals,” Zoie said. “So I wrote a letter to Sen. Todd Kaminsky because I needed to be the animals’ voice.”

Zoie asked Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Beach, what he could do to clean up the park, and provide residents and wildlife alike a cleaner, more enjoyable community space. “He actually responded to my letter, called me, and then organized a cleanup,” she said.

Her letter stressed the importance of preserving wildlife in the area, Kaminsky said, and the passion her words conveyed was evident to him. “When I received Zoie’s letter, I knew I had to act,” he said. The cleanup included Boy Scouts, sports teams, teachers and community leaders. It took only a few hours, Kaminsky said, and it made him confident that a younger generation can pave the way for a cleaner community. “The Baldwin and Oceanside communities rallied together today to make a difference in our community,” he said. “Today proves that our young people can be a catalyst for big change.”

Zoie described the cleanup as a special day, and said she hoped the park would remain clean. “It was nice to see people come together to help,” she added. “The park looked so much better when we finished — I just wonder how we can keep it that way. I want to thank Senator Kaminsky for taking an 11-year-old seriously.”

The cleanup was co-sponsored by Kaminsky, State Assemblyman Brian Curran, County Legislator Laura Curran, Operation SPLASH, NY American Water, Suez, the Baldwin Civic Association, Gala Fresh Farms and Empire Kayaks.

“It is an honor to work closely with our partners in government keeping Baldwin a thriving, revitalized community,” Brian Curran said. “We will always continue to do just that.”

“It is so heartening to see so many people from all different parts of our community come together for this cleanup,” Laura Curran added, “and I can’t wait for the next one.”

Jason Vitale, head of the civic association’s Quality of Life Committee, applauded Kaminsky for heading the effort. Vitale also thanked Gala Fresh Farms for taking part.

“It’s an honor for Gala Fresh Farms to participate in this community cleanup effort,” said owner Jenny Jorge. “As a family-owned business, we take pride in playing an active role in our community and serving in any way we can. We’re grateful to all that listened to the suggestions of one of our local children and made this initiative a reality.”

“Gabrielle and I were very happy to be a part of the cleanup,” said Michael Fehling, co-owner of Empire Kayaks, referring to his business partner and wife. “We have noticed over the years … that people take the initiative on their own to pick up litter while they’re on the water or at a park, because they realize how beautiful and important these resources are and want to keep them beautiful for now and for future generations.”