By Andrew Hackmack
It's now a construction zone as the creek restoration project is well under way. The work is being done to enhance the park and create a healthier stream.
For years, sand, silt, leaves and garbage have collected in the stream and there hasn't been much of a way to get all that material out of there. The only solution was a major reconstruction project and that was made possible through a $187,000 state grant.
Village crews have been performing all the work on the stream, which runs from the north end at Hendrickson Avenue to the pedestrian bridge where it meets the pond. Deputy Superintendent of Public Works Nicholas Camarano said the stream collects a lot of sand that is deposited on roads as far north as Floral Park. "We get everybody's sand," he said.
The problem with the sand, he said, is that its presence reduces the water capacity of the stream, which makes the park more prone to flooding during a rainstorm.
A lot of sand has already been dug out of the stream at the northern end of the park, with large piles dotting the landscape. There is still plenty more to go, Camarano said, but it will all be reused. He explained that the sand will be used throughout Hendrickson Park to level out the topography. "There are so many low-lying areas," he said.
The sand will continue to flow into the stream, Camarano said, however the village has come up with a solution to prevent future problems. A cement floor will be constructed for the stream from Hendrickson Avenue south about 420 feet. The sand will collect along this base, Camarano said, and village workers will be able to simply vacuum it out. "It will almost be like vacuuming a backyard pool," he said.
At the southern end of the stream, a new cement retaining wall has already been built along the east side. This wall has been topped off with wood to give it a more natural look and also prevent debris from entering the stream. Camarano said the village is exploring a grant to continue the wall further north.
Village Clerk Vinny Ang said the purpose of the wall on the east side is to prevent flooding towards the nearby residential area as well as erosion of the stream banks. There is only a narrow strip of park between the stream and neighboring homes, he said, whereas the park is much wider on the west side and a place for excess water to go.
It's inevitable that the stream will flood, he said, so this project ensures that water will go to the right places. Ang said they would also rather have the stream spill over at Hendrickson Park than other areas of Valley Stream where it literally does run right next to houses. "If it's going to flood," he said, "you want it to flood here."
Last week, village crews constructed a temporary dam and began emptying water out of a 150-foot section just north of the pond. Camarano said this area has an asphalt bottom but one wouldn't know it based on how much debris has collected there. Once water is dredged, workers will go in with payloaders and clean the section out.
In that area, there are three wooden logs which float on top of the water to collect any garbage -- such as bottles and cans -- before entering the pond. This contraption will be removed and a basket will be installed right at the pedestrian bridge to collect these "floatables." Village workers will regularly clean the basket out, Camarano said.
Ang said the creek was actually designed so machines could go in and clean it out. However, restrictions have changed and machines are not allowed in for fear a hose could break, release a toxic chemical and pollute the whole stream system. "The days of cleaning it up are behind us," Ang said, "so we've had to develop other ways to do it."
Camarano said the construction has not prevented residents from using the park as they did before the work began. He said the only disruption was a water main break in early May that damaged a walkway.
Village Deputy Mayor Guido Cirenza said the project it completed. "We're on the right track," he said. "It's a nice looking park and the people really enjoy it."
