Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Takes Part in Great Brookhaven Plant-In

Members of the (LRCO) planted flowers such as marigolds, snapdragons and more, which were donated along with mulch by the Town, at Arrowhead Community Park for the 4th Annual Great Brookhaven Plant-in.

That day at various sites across Brookhaven Town residents and community groups could be seen beautifying their surroundings.

The 4th Annual Great Brookhaven Plant-In, along with the 4th Annual Great Brookhaven Cleanup, held in April, is sponsored by the Town in cooperation with Keep America Beautiful Inc.  This small step in the right direction, taken by LRCO, is really part of a much larger movement.  Last year the two events drew 4,000 Town residents, who joined over 2.4 million volunteers in more than 15,000 communities across America, and an even bigger turnout was expected this year.

 LRCO has been hosting a plant-in for the past four years.  This was the third year it was held at the park, which was once a neglected property and blight on the community, until it was purchased by the Town. Then two years ago The American Legion donated a flagpole, and a year ago an arrow shaped stone was donated.

"It's a good community spot that needs help.  The property is owned by the Town of Brookhaven; they donate all the materials, and we donate all the labor," said George Schramm, president of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization.

Lesia Macko, a member of the organization, brought her own contribution to be planted.

"Daylilies from my yard to yours," she said. "When my mom was staying with me, she dug them up from around the lake, and planted them in my yard, and they've been growing for a long time now, so I'm giving some of them back."

Schramm explained that the civic organization worked with the Town to purchase the property with the Open Space Fund, and then the Town laid pathways, and put up a guardrail as a safety feature.

"We're hoping to turn it into a nice sitting park with picnic tables," said Gregg Freedner, membership secretary of LRCO.  "We need shade, but trees are expensive.  We're looking for donations for shade trees."

Ann Zapata was accompanied by her granddaughter Jade, 12, who was helping to plant flowers along the walkway. She said, "I want her to be civic-minded, to learn to give back to the community."

A Buy-a-Brick Program is in place for creating a memorial plaza around the flagpole.  The first batch is already there, but the civic would like to see it expand.

To find out more contact information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org.

In other LRCO news, Rep. Tim Bishop will be speaking at their General Membership Meeting on Thursday, June 9 at The American Legion on Church Street.  This meeting is open to the public.