Nassau County was scheduled to hold the first of a series of free Chelsea Summer Concerts on Wednesday, July 13 on the front lawn of the Chelsea Mansion in Muttontown. The Sea Cliff Players were performing. The Wednesday evening “Village Night” was to honor a special group of county residents who have donated their time and support to various Nassau County parks and preserves.
“Again, it is Nassau County’s pleasure to be able to acknowledge the many people and organizations that have willingly supported our county facilities,” said Edward P. Mangano, Nassau County Executive, of the recurring event.
Among the honorees was Matthew Meng, president of the East Norwich Civic Association and the ENCA itself.
As a member of the Chelsea Restoration Committee since its inception, Matthew T. Meng has worked to bring additional volunteers, resources and funds to reestablish the outflow of the pond and improve its hydrology.
The East Norwich Civic Association and community have participated in the upkeep, care and restoration of the Chelsea gardens and grounds over many years including throughout the last two Nassau County administrations. The ENCA has invested volunteers and money towards many restoration projects such as: the easterly cinderblock wall, path clearance from one side of the pond, around the pond, to the gazebo and pet cemetery.
Mr. Meng said although he is credited with much of the work, he has done it on behalf of the civic association that he heads.
People were encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the evenings of music on the front lawn of the Chelsea Mansion in East Norwich starting on Wednesday, July 13, open to the public at 6 p.m. The Chelsea Summer Concerts begin at 7:30 pm. On Wednesday, July 20 Chelsea Mansion will feature the Five Towns College Pops under the direction of Dean Karahalis. On July 27, the Long Island Conservancy of Music will perform. Admission is free and there will be refreshments available for purchase.
What is especially good to report, is that Saratoga Associates presented their final report on its blueprint for Nassau County’s 16 open space preserves, using Muttontown Preserve as the focus of the planning. The successful use of Chelsea Mansion is a feature of how funding is available from the private sector for maintaining the facility as it is rented out for weddings and parties.
Saratoga Associates presented their final plan for the Nassau County preserves on July 6 at the Hoffman Center. “It’s been two years of involvement for me,” said Ralph Fumante, chair of the Open Space Preservation Advisory Committee. “It’s a great template for the 16 open space preserves in Nassau County. We thought we should do a master plan for all of them. Not just Muttontown Preserve but all the open space preserves of Nassau County. It is a template to guide the management of all the NC facilities.”
Presently the county has no funds for the work, but when adopted by the Nassau County legislature, it will be consulted when the time comes for the projects to be done. It has been an interesting process to follow, including the special meeting requested by the ENCA for Saratoga Associates to explain the plan to members. – DFK.
