The Valley Stream Beautification Committee is preparing for a series of spring cleanup events to maintain local parks and strengthen community involvement, according to its co-chairs, Cathryn Natoli and Chris Kelly.
The volunteer-led group, formed in 2020, focuses primarily on litter removal and beautification efforts throughout the village. Its origins trace back to a community initiative organized by a former village liaison, who brought together residents concerned about litter, local conditions and overall upkeep. From those early conversations, residents began organizing cleanups and related projects.
Natoli said she became involved around that time, alongside others who were motivated to take a more active role in maintaining the community. The committee’s early efforts included organizing litter pickups and plantings, building on work previously led by another local organizer who later moved away. About four years ago, Natoli and Kelly were asked to take on leadership roles as co-chairs, combining their availability and skills to coordinate activities.
“For us, it’s about community, and we’ve even posted cleanups for Oceanside, we’ve posted cleanups for Long Beach,” Natoli said. “We want everyone to get out and just meet your neighbors, care about the area that you live in, and just be aware of what’s going on there, and what you can do to help.”
Kelly, a retired schoolteacher who previously served in the Valley Stream Civilian Patrol, said she joined the committee after seeking a more hands-on way to contribute to the community. She has been involved since the group’s early days and now helps identify the area’s most in need of cleanup, based on her regular walks and bike rides around the village.
The committee operates year-round, though activity levels vary by season. Cleanups are typically held twice a month during the spring, summer and fall, and once a month in the winter, weather permitting. Events are scheduled collaboratively by the co-chairs, who consider community suggestions and known areas where litter tends to accumulate.
As warmer weather arrives, the group is increasing its efforts. Both Natoli and Kelly emphasized that spring is a particularly important time for cleanup work. Snowmelt often reveals accumulated litter, and increased outdoor activity makes conditions more visible to residents.
“Awareness, education and community service,” Kelly said. “Those are the big three.”
The committee has several events scheduled in May. On May 2, volunteers will participate in I Love My Park Day at Valley Stream State Park. The event is part of a statewide initiative organized by the nonprofit Parks and Trails New York, in partnership with the state parks system. While the broader event includes activities such as building and painting, the Beautification Committee focuses on removing litter, particularly from the park’s waterways. The group uses specialized equipment, including waders provided by the village, to access areas not reachable from shore.
Natoli said the committee maintains a strong working relationship with park staff, which has helped facilitate these efforts.
Additional cleanups are planned for May 16 at the Village Green and May 31 at Hendrickson Park. The Village Green event will target a heavily trafficked area that includes a library, dog park and concert space, as well as nearby waterways. The Hendrickson Park cleanup will involve participation from a student group at Valley Stream Central High School, the Earth Advocates Club, which was created by students and works closely with the committee.
Kelly said the committee often prioritizes areas where residents gather, particularly during the spring and summer months. She added that waterways remain a key focus because of their connection to the broader ecosystem. In Valley Stream, storm drains lead directly to local waterways, making it important to prevent litter from entering those systems and eventually reaching larger bodies of water.
Beyond environmental benefits, both co-chairs highlighted community engagement as a central goal of the committee’s work.
“That’s the biggest reason why we get involved: to meet people in the community and to get people to care about the environment, especially if you’re new here,” Natoli said. “You don’t necessarily know anything about the area or what it’s like or who the people are, so it’s nice to get together with people that you don’t know, or go to different churches than you do, or go to a temple, they meet here. Valley Stream is huge.”
The committee relies on support from the village for supplies such as gloves and garbage bags. Kelly noted that the group keeps its structure simple, with no formal membership requirements, dues or mandatory participation. Volunteers can attend as often or as infrequently as they choose.
Turnout can vary, but both co-chairs described consistent community interest. Events often draw dozens of participants, including students completing service hours, civic groups and individual residents.
The committee also works to attract a diverse range of participants by varying event times and activities. While litter cleanups are the primary focus, additional projects such as planting and gardening are used to engage different audiences.
One such initiative is the community garden, which operates as part of the broader beautification effort but is expanding into its own program. The garden was developed through collaboration with local organizations, businesses and volunteers, and offers residents the opportunity to maintain individual plots or assist with general upkeep. Accessible planting spaces have also been incorporated to accommodate participants with mobility limitations.
For the committee, success is measured not by formal metrics but by increased awareness and participation. Growing interest from residents, students and local groups is a key indicator of progress. Kelly emphasized the long-term impact of engaging younger participants, particularly in fostering environmental awareness that extends beyond individual events.
Both co-chairs said community input plays an important role in shaping the committee’s work. Residents are encouraged to suggest locations in need of attention, and those suggestions are often incorporated into the cleanup schedule.
As the spring season continues, the committee plans to maintain its regular schedule of events and expand outreach efforts through social media and community channels. Organizers said they hope increased visibility will encourage more residents to participate, even in small ways, to support the overall goal of maintaining a cleaner and more connected community.
