By Nicole Falco
Within the past year the village's five square miles of parkland have undergone what administrators like to call a "Renaissance," according to Vinny Ang, village clerk. Village employees in the Department of Public Works have done the majority of the improvements. The improvements were the result of a team effort between Mayor Ed Cahill and the Village Board of Trustees including Joe Zabatta, Joanne Antun, Richard Coffman and Deputy Mayor Guido Cirenza. The only additional cost incurred by the village was for materials.
"The kinds of improvements that were done in the parks could have cost the village hundreds of thousands of dollars, but they didn't because of the village workforce," Ang said.
Ang also pointed out a list of improvements in Hendrickson Park including the new jogging and fitness trail, the state-of-the art bocce court that was dedicated on Sept. 21, the Memorial Park that already includes 50 trees and 10 benches, a sprinkler system, irrigation system, resurfacing of the basketball, tennis and handball courts, a chlorine system for the pool, and a "kiddie" water park in the pool complex.
The improvements don't stop at Hendrickson. Barrett Park, Fireman's Field, Arlington Park, and Mill Pond have also enjoyed improvements. Motorists and pedestrians traveling north on Mill Road may notice the stone wall and garden on the corner of Roosevelt Avenue. Boulders also circle the lake in Mill Pond that are not only decorative but also help prevent erosion. Landscaping has been done at each park and in Barrett Park there is now a multi-purpose court where the hockey rink used to be and new play equipment for the youngsters.
With a few exceptions, such as the new lighting system in Hendrickson Park and the chlorine system, everything has been done in house.
"[The village employees] like to be challenged. Give them a plan and they take pride in meeting that challenge and providing service to the community," said Nick Camarano, supervisor, Department of Public Works.
In recent years, the village has conspired to employ individuals with skills that can really be considered an asset to the village, Camarano said.
"We have a good crosscut of all the things that you need to put a project together, whether it be carpentry, masonry, agricultural or mechanical," Camarano said.
There are actually fewer employees now than there were 10 years ago. According to Camarano, there are approximately 40 sanitation employees, 25 in the Highway Department, three electricians, three workers employed in the sign shop and 10 who work in the Arlington Avenue garage. Years ago there were 45 employees in the Highway Department alone.
Of course, improvements are only done in house when feasible. Seasonal needs such as snow removal and leaf collection and maintenance are the first priority for the Department of Public Works, Camarano said.
