The Holiday Season may be wrapping up, but Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin says there’s plenty of fun to unwrap at the Town’s 5th Annual Mulchfest! This beloved event invites residents to bring their Christmas trees to Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow on Saturday, January 11th to have it shredded down into mulch for personal use. This eco-friendly program ensures that a family’s Christmas tree continues to embrace the season of giving by providing rich nutrients all year long. What’s more, the herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve will also be on the receiving end of some pine gifts, as excess mulch will be donated to the goats as a tasty snack.
“Mulchfest is back for the fifth year in a row and the goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve are bleating in excitement,” said Supervisor Clavin. “This holiday tradition sees scores of residents turning their Christmas trees into mulch with each year getting better and better.”
Residents can bring their Christmas trees to Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow on Saturday, January 11th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parks employees will properly dispose of the trees by shredding them down into mulch for residents to use at their convenience. Residents will also have the option to forgo a bag of mulch and instead have it fed to eager Town goats. Broken down cardboard will also be accepted and recycled.
Mulch can be utilized for gardening purposes, soil moisture, and a preventative measure towards pesky weeds. The Town of Hempstead Mulchfest will be producing mulch from fresh and properly shredded Christmas Trees to supply residents with organic compost that will provide an ideal environment for gardening. In addition to providing the Town goats with something to munch on, the surplus mulch will be used towards various Town of Hempstead parks for future planting and landscaping plans.
Residents who cannot be in attendance for Mulchfest can drop off Christmas trees at the homeowner disposal area next to Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve at 1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick starting Monday, January 13th through Saturday, January 18th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The Town of Hempstead proudly stands for greener and environmentally friendly programs,” Clavin said. “Come on down to Vets Park to repurpose your Christmas Tree and receive a free bag of mulch in return. Don’t forget to stop by Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve and share some with the loveable goats!”
Credit: Town of Hempstead