Working in the Valley Stream Parks Department

Summer workers drove pickup trucks during the hot days at the Valley Stream Parks Department. Workers cleaned and spruced up park grounds, as well as other maintenance duties during their summer.

There had been many notable events — the torrential flooding after a mid-August storm which damaged the Hendrickson Park administration building. Hurricane Irene had prompted a massive and serious clean-up, said several workers.

The summer also brought a camaraderie between the employees. The group formed a bond, an unofficial brotherhood. And as summer begins its swan song, the group looks back at their summer on the job.

First-time workers

Paul Sabo
Age: 21
Lives In: Valley Stream
School status: Out of school
Why work for the village: “My grandfather pitched me the idea. He knows a lot of people.”
Best part of the job: “Riding around, meeting new people.”
Worst part: Weed-whacking
Fondest memory: ‘The Hurricane Irene clean-up. That was the biggest part.”
Coming back next summer: Yes

Adrian Pinnock
Age: 21
Lives In: Valley Stream
School status: Nassau Community College; first year
Why work for the village: “My family and friends pitched me the idea.”
Best part of the job: “Hanging out with the guys, and doing different things on different days.”
Worst part: “Nothing too bad.”
Fondest memory: “Watching a co-worker try to work on a tree, hitting it 20 times with a payloader and ramming it for 20 minutes.”
Coming back next summer: Yes

Mike Colonna
Age: 23
Lives in: Lindenhurst
School status: Out of school
Why work for the village: “My family members have worked here. My father is a village mechanic, and my uncle is a driver for the sanitation department.”
Best part of the job: “Everyday, hanging out with cool guys.”
Worst part: “The storm was the worst.”
Fondest memory: “Trying to kick a tree down. I fell, but there were no injuries.”
Coming back next summer: Yes

Dan Loonie
Age: 22
Lives in: Lynbrook
School status: Nassau Community College; near graduation
Why work for the village: “I was looking for a part-time job. Knew my friends worked in the highway department.”
Best part of the job: “The guys.”
Worst part: “The flooding in the administration building. It smelled bad and everything was heavy.”
Fondest memory: “All the memories with the guys.”
Coming back next summer: Yes

Came back for more

Donald Romano III
Age: 24
Lives in: Valley Stream
School status: Out of school
Why work for the village: “My different family members have worked for Valley Stream since the 1940s. I love to stay, rebuild, and try to live.”
Best part of the job: “The most gratifying parts are to work around your town, and people see what you do.”
Worst part: “Going home, and not seeing the guys.”
Fondest memory: “Everyday in the Parks Department is a memory — the hurricane to the flooding. Everyday is a new adventure.”
Coming back next summer: Yes.

Mike Colucci
Age: 21
Lives in: Valley Stream
School status: Out of school
Why work for the village: “I worked for the village a couple of years ago in the highway department. I left, then decided it was the best job for me.”
Best part of the job: “Seeing my supervisor, Phil Tondi. Everyday, he makes me smile.”
Worst part: Heat waves
Fondest memory: “Jokes with the guys, random inside jokes.”
Coming back next summer: “Yes, I am here for life.”