Residents form South Shore Conservation Society to revitalize Brookside Preserve in Freeport

Earlier this year, some residents of Freeport noticed that Brookside Preserve, a scenic oasis in the community, wasn’t being properly maintained. There was garbage, signs of substance abuse, and overall neglect.

The residents, who are nature lovers, wanted to see the preserve thrive, so they decided to act. They started by contacting their local legislator to air their concerns and offer ideas on ways to improve the property.

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé assembled a team of experts in parks management and legislative affairs to help refine the community members’ ideas. With the experts’ support, the residents developed a detailed proposal to revitalize the preserve. They collaborated with Mulé and another legislator, Seth Koslow, and later this year they will present their proposal to County Parks Commissioner Darcy Belyea.

The group solidified its commitment by creating the South Shore Conservation Society, a nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing volunteers to support Brookside Preserve and other green spaces in southern Nassau County, and particularly in Freeport. The initiative is especially important because the South Shore Audubon Society, the group that previously looked after the preserve, is no longer involved, its partnership with Nassau County having ended.

Most of the SSCS’s members are Freeport residents.

“We appreciate the support that we get from Debra Mulé and Seth Koslow,” Jose Cuevas, who handles public relations, said. “Those are the two legislators that have been supportive of the improvement needed (in) the Brookside Preserve, and we look forward (to) the continued support as we look to continue to work hard to revitalize the preserve.”

The organization hopes to partner with other community groups in the effort to revitalize the preserve, which is owned and managed by the county. The end of the partnership with the South Shore Audubon Society left the preserve without proper oversight, so it was the perfect time for the South Shore Conservation Society to step in.

Recognizing the importance of community-driven efforts, its members began brainstorming ways to improve the preserve. They proposed creating a community garden in an open lot adjacent to the property, among other initiatives. At a meeting earlier this year with county parks officials, they continued to refine their plans.

“As residents, and being in a large minority population, we don’t see our green spaces being protected,” SSCS Treasurer Jasmine Pena said, “and residents in minority hamlets don’t have access to green spaces for their family. As far as for recreational purposes or for exploration for students, enhancement, when it comes to environmental initiatives, we don’t have that here.

“So it’s equally important for us to set the groundwork for our residents and really create something special for all our surrounding areas,” Pena added. “As far as Baldwin, Merrick and Rockville Centre, they have these preserves, and they’re very well maintained. But in Freeport, where we’ve been left behind, we need to make sure that our residents are involved.” This is a great opportunity for them and future generations, she said.

The group hopes to become a management support entity for the Preserve — not to take it over, but to help the county with its upkeep and improvement. Members plan to present a proposal to the county highlighting the organization’s commitment and capabilities.

The society has also launched advocacy and cleanup efforts. It organizes monthly cleanups, rallying community members to help keep the preserve pristine, and acts as a communication conduit between the community and the county. It has reached out to the Nassau County Police Department in an effort to ensure regular surveillance of the preserve, to address the issue of substance abuse.

The SSCS has also secured trash cans for the preserve and arranged for regular pickup, making it easier for visitors to dispose of their garbage properly.

Members continue their efforts to improve the preserve and keep it clean, driven by their love of nature and their desire to see this and other area green spaces flourish.

“We use a lot of social media platforms to reach our volunteers and potential members,” Pena said, “and definitely, a lot of us are very involved in our communities, so we do have a strong hold here when it comes to community endeavors and Freeport.”