After officials noticed evidence of that they called “party residuals,” consisting of litter, drug and alcohol paraphernalia, and graffiti in Mill Dam Park, they decided to take action.
“The Town’s Security Division and Park Rangers have ramped up enforcement of the rules that ban these activities, leading to a significant decrease in residuals,” announced Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci in a statement released by the town.
Alongside enforcement efforts, signage was recently installed by the Town’s Huntington Drug & Alcohol Counseling Center Prevention Services Team reminding park-goers to preserve the park as a safe, drug-free and litter-free environment.
According to the statement, the sign will be displayed on a waste receptacle at the park. The sign is composed of messages designed by campers, ages 6-14 years, from the Town of Huntington Youth Bureau’s programs, including Drug and Alcohol Prevention Services, Youth Court and Project Excel.
Mill Dam Park has offered the community a safe environment to enjoy the outdoors for years and the town hopes that will continue into the future.
“The Mill Dam Park signage will help increase knowledge of the park rules and will work in conjunction with law enforcement to address this issue and maintain the integrity of Mill Dam Park,” said Lupinacci.
The Huntington Drug and Alcohol Prevention Counseling Center Services Team operates as a subdivision of the Town of Huntington Youth Bureau, an extension of the Supervisor’s office and provides research-based, data-driven programs and strategies to reduce or prevent alcohol and other drug abuse in individuals, families and communities. Part of their initiative is to increase access to safe, drug-free environments as these serve as protective factors against youth high-risk behaviors. For more information on the Counseling Center, please contact (631) 271-3591.