The Garden City Bird Sanctuary is pleased to announce that Stephen W. Corbett, former Floral Park Mayor, will be the recipient of the 2006 GCBS Environmental Stewardship Award at the gala dinner reception scheduled for Saturday April 29th at Koenig's Restaurant in Floral Park. Tickets for the gala are currently on sale and can be ordered through the GC Bird Sanctuary by calling 326-1720. This is the fourth Environmental Stewardship award by the GC Bird Sanctuary which honors exceptional commitment to volunteer community service and the environment. Previous winners have included NYS Senator Kemp Hannon, Chaminade High School's Emmaus Organization, and Andrew L. Hult. Steve joins this group for his constant diligence and efforts to create our "sister" site, the Floral Park Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary.

Steve Corbett and his wife Mary have been married for over 30 years and raised three children; Brian, Christopher and Kerrianne. Steve works for Edwards Lifesciences on medical device sales and marketing of cardiovascular devices. Steve has been very active in many organizations leading to and his appointment to the Floral Park Village Board in 1987 as a trustee, serving 4 terms before election as Mayor in 1995. He served three terms as mayor until 2001 and also served on the Executive Board of the Nassau County Village Officials Association for 12 years, serving as President in 2000-2001.

Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary was created in 1999 and dedicated in October 2000 with the erection of new estate style black aluminum fencing and the selected removal of over 120 weed trees and large shrubs. The site, using Nassau County Storm Water Basin #120, comprises approximately 12 acres from curb to curb with the actual basin comprising between 8 and 9 acres. The Village of Floral Park currently has a 30 year lease for dual use of the property for community benefit.

The impetus for the creation of this project was multifold:

1. The deteriorating condition of the exterior of the basin and the ongoing teen problem for decades in the drainage basin area.

2. The potential for Nassau County to sell the land to a private developer or as active recreation.

3. The motivation of several residents in the area who recognized the opportunity presented and the actions of Rob Alvey in Garden City inspired them.

The Floral Park Conservation Society was formed by approximately 10 volunteers and lead by Chris Deeks, the first President. Steve became President in 2001 after retiring as Floral Park Mayor. (Deeks took over the Floral Park Youth Council and has served as President for over 4 years, creating a dynamic opportunity for the youth of the village.)

The Floral Park Conservation Society is an all-volunteer organization, much like GCBS, but their focus is more varied. The FPCS intent was to develop the area into passive gardens and walking paths and to date they have planted hundreds of trees and shrubs along with multiple specific gardens. They have added over 50 specimen trees as part of the John Lewis Childs Arboretum (founder of Floral Park). Because the facility is village-leased and FPCS does the development and interior maintenance, they have been successful in drawing development money to stay on pace for a developed gardens for our centennial in October 2008. The Floral Park Village Board is supportive of the project and provides some key funding. Last spring, the 72-foot walking bridge was completed on the center path, serving as a centerpiece for the gardens.

The volunteers are the backbone of the Bird Sanctuary and they have created some exceptional gardens and hardscape designs. The Floral Park Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary plans on adding a small pond in 2007 to assist in attracting and maintaining wildlife at the site.

As you know, the considerable effort to develop a project like Garden City Bird Sanctuary or Floral Park's Centennial Gardens would not work without strong views for the environment and providing a resource for school children to get hands on experience in the years to come. The Garden City Bird Sanctuary congratulates Steve Corbett and his family on this award, and invites supporters from both communities to join us at the gala dinner on April 29th at Koenig's Restaurant in Floral Park. For reservations, contact Rob Alvey, GCBS President, at 326-1720.