CREATING SHADE — PEF members Paul Dose (left) and
Vincent Kreutz apply shading compound to a greenhouse
roof at the Planting Fields Arboretum and State Historic
Park in Long Island. — Photo by Margaret Carnivale
It’s time to swim, hike, bike, fish, picnic, tour
sites
Members
make state park system a summer delight
By DEBORAH A. MILES
After one of New York’s cruelest winters on record,
almost everyone is ready to enjoy the hot, hazy and
laid-back days of summer. And according to the PEF
members who are the backbone of the state park system,
people are flocking to the state parks and beaches for a
refreshing dip in a pool or lake. They are also visiting
arboretums, museums and historical sites.
Vincent Kreutz, for example, enjoys working as a
horticultural technician 2 at Planting Fields Arboretum
and State Historic Park. This PEF Division 396 council
leader said Planting Fields is one of few remaining
“Gold coast” estates along the North Shore of
Long Island.
“This is an educational facility where people can
learn about plants,” he said. “The entire
arboretum is 409 acres. We are a passive park, no ball
fields or swings.”
But with its explosion of color and breathtaking beauty,
one could hardly call the camellia greenhouse passive.
That’s where Kreutz spends much of his time, tending
to more than 300 plants and maintaining a historic
collection by keeping the same genetic material going. He
also answers questions from the more than 250,000 people
who visit the estate annually.
Not all of the summer visitors are plant buffs.
“We have a lot of wedding photography done
here,” Kreutz said. “The backdrop is beautiful,
especially at the Italian Pool Garden. The historic
landscaping also includes rolling lawns, formal gardens
and hiking trails. The grounds are also the site for dog
shows, antique car shows, concerts, plus courses in
photography, plant care and basket weaving.”
Mansion attracts
world visitors
Marcy Shaffer is a PEF member and historic site manager
for Schuyler Mansion in Albany and Crailo, the Dutch
history museum in Rensselaer. People from around the
world come to tour the mansion.
“We have a broad spectrum of visitors,” she
said. “Some people take day trips, but we’ve
had visitors from all parts of Europe, most recently from
Poland and France, and as far away as New Zealand.”
Site management occupies much of her time, ensuring the
mansion remains in shape for tour groups and other
visitors. “They come to see what life was like in
the late 1700s, when the building was constructed. After
viewing the 10-room house, many relax in the
courtyard,” she said.
Anticipating more summer visitors, Shaffer and her staff
organize special events, such as an American music
program on July 13, and a “Historically
Speaking” program slated for August 17. For a
complete listing of activities, visit www.nysparks.com/next.html
Niagara parks
lure tourists
One of the most popular tourist sites in the state is the
Niagara Falls Region, where PEF member Jon Wegrzynowski
works as a park engineer for the state Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historical Preservation overseeing design
and construction for roads, buildings and marinas
throughout 16 park facilities.
He predicted increased park attendance as people are
traveling less and staying
closer to home because of safety issues and the depressed
economy.
“We do everything we can to ensure public
safety,” he said. “It’s a team effort that
is dedicated to protecting the public while preserving
the natural beauty of the area.”
For example, the observation tower has elevators that
take visitors above street level to view the falls and
180 feet down to the base of the tower for a close view
of the American Falls.
“PEF members also supervise the workers who ensure
the safety measures in the observation tower,”
Wegrzynowski said.
Statewide water safety
PEF member Darwin DeLappa, the state’s director of
water safety,
coordinates water safety activities for the state’s
76 developed beaches and 53 swimming pools.
The process begins in December when DeLappa contacts 11
regional offices to begin preparing to hire lifeguards.
Each applicant must be interviewed, pass a medical
examination, be certified in first aid, CPR and
lifeguarding. In Long Island, lifeguards must also pass a
surf test.
DeLappa also performs safety chemical checks in swimming
pools to make sure the level of chlorine meets the state
Health Department guidelines. And he makes sure each
swimming area has proper signage, including depth signs,
and “no diving” signs when needed.
A veteran of the state park system since 1974, DeLappa
offered a safety tip: wear aqua socks with rubber soles
when swimming in fresh water lakes, such as Seneca Lake
in Sampson Park or Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes area.
“These lakes contain zebra mussels,” he said.
“They are tiny, the size of an eraser on a pencil.
But they have extremely sharp shells and can cut a foot
like a razor blade.”
And with an injured foot, it would be hard to enjoy all
the beauty and fun the park system has to offer.
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Lawmakers override all 119
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Set state safety, security
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Thank your legislators
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President's Message:Our work
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Member Highlights;Keeping up
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Retirees In Action: New
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PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Nurses' Station:
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Legislative Action:
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PEF supports
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shortchange NY
Health Benefits:
- Feds aim to guard your
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- College students need shot
in arm
- HMO applied wrong rule for
disabled kids
Union Matters
PEF, OASAS train workers for
emergencies
EAP Coordinator earns
Quality Service Award
Making state park system a
summer delight
Pre-Tax Transit pilot put on
hold
Balloting brings 13
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Convention 2003: Delegate
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