PETITION FOR IMPROVED MAINTENANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION IN LAKEVIEW AND SURROUNDING AREAS AS WELL AS DEVELOPING AN ANTI-LITTERING CAMPAIGN

We, the residents and community members of Lakeview and Nassau County, respectfully submit this petition to raise awareness and request immediate action on several pressing concerns affecting our neighborhood’s public spaces, environmental health, and safety—particularly in the brooks and creeks, Tanglewood Preserve, Mill River and the Peace Garden on Woodfield Road.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: CREEKS, BROOKS & PRESERVES

There is a growing environmental concern due to mosquito infestation, possible agent orange exposure (the main ingredient found in agent orange is called dioxin TCDD, a highly toxic compound that causes cancer, disrupts hormones and leads to other serious medical and reproductive problems.) excessive litter and natural debris accumulating in our local waterways and surrounding land including:

Schodack Creek
Mill River Green Way Trail
Tanglewood Preserve 

After careful review of maps and handwritten notes, the Department of Public Works, Town of Hempstead, has confirmed that all brooks and creeks as well as 10 feet out from both sides of the creeks that run through Lakeview fall under County jurisdiction.

To help address this issue, our nonprofit organization, Believe st Bellaire Inc. has partnered with the Nassau County Office of Youth Services to launch a youth cleanup initiative, which provides stipends and community service hours to young volunteers. We are incredibly grateful to the County for its approval and support of this program.

However, this effort cannot replace sustained County action. We respectfully request the following:

• Testing of the creeks and surrounding soil for agent orange
• Increased County Road Street Sweeping
• Installation of strainers or protective covers on sewer openings to reduce debris entry
• Consistent clean outs of creeks, brooks
• We are extremely grateful that the County maintains Tanglewood water way, although this falls under NYS jurisdiction.  However, the debris and litter from Peninsula Blvd, Woodfield Road and Ocean Ave (all county maintained) end up in these waterways
• Regular mosquito spraying in natural areas during warm months
• Assessment and repair of creekside infrastructure, as failing infrastructure is causing nearby homes to gradually slide into the creeks, posing serious structural and safety risks to residents
• We request the County to create a comprehensive anti-littering campaign and take visible leadership in restoring and protecting our environment

This issue has been ongoing, and despite being in communication with Chris Ostuni, Majority Counsel to Bill Gaylor, our County Legislator, since June of 2024, the matter remains unresolved. Immediate County intervention is necessary to prevent further detrimental health issues, property damage and potential displacement of families.

2. PEACE GARDEN SAFETY & MAINTENANCE CONCERNS
The Peace Garden on Woodfield Road is a beloved community space frequently visited by children, seniors, and families. However, it is currently in a state of disrepair and poses serious safety and health hazards:

The fencing is infested with termites, rotting, and dangerously unstable, with splintered wood fragments protruding throughout.
The grass, trees, and shrubs are consistently overgrown, with broken tree branches hanging overhead.
There is no mulching of the hedge bedding or the interior tree beds.
During warmer months, the garden becomes a breeding ground for mosquito infestations due to a lack of regular upkeep.
While the Town Parks Department has offered to contract a professional extermination company to treat the mosquito problem, they require authorization from the County to move forward. The town has also proposed a one-time cleanup of the Peace Garden. However, such temporary efforts have proven insufficient in the past.
We therefore urge the County to establish a regularly scheduled maintenance plan for the Peace Garden and formally authorize mosquito spraying efforts. We also request the replacement of the current garden sign, which is worn and outdated. We understand and appreciate that the County is in the process of renaming the garden, and we thank you for this initiative. A new name should be accompanied by a new, prominent sign that reflects the pride and care of the community.

3. COMMUNICATION ON WOODFIELD ROAD STREETSCAPE PROJECT
We extend sincere thanks to former County Legislator Siela Bynoe for securing funding for the Woodfield Road Streetscape Project. We understand that the project is in the final stages of design however not all residents are aware of the progress and request that project updates be made publicly available, perhaps on a county website, so we can share them via our community Facebook page, which reaches a wide network of 1600 Lakeview residents.