North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Council Member Peter Zuckerman and the Town Board announced plans for a new greenhouse for Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson. The $700,000 project, which is part of the Town’s 2016-2020 Capital Plan includes $250,000 in Department of State of New York grant funding from Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel and $556,000 in authorized bonding from the Town. Clark Botanic Garden was recently included in ProFlowers list of the 15 Best Botanical Gardens in the state, , which was based on the garden’s educational programs, unique plant collections and reputation for providing excellent customer care to visitors.

“This new greenhouse will enable the garden to truly blossom into the world-class facility it has the potential to be,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “With the ability to grow more plant varieties and to showcase them around the 12-acre garden, I know that we will attract visitors far beyond our Town’s borders.”

"I am grateful that Supervisor Bosworth and the Town of North Hempstead have brought the greenhouse project for Clark Botanic Garden to fruition. This enhanced facility will only add to the enrichment and educational opportunities for this already wonderful botanical setting," said Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel.

The project includes the construction of a 4,200-square-foot greenhouse with two separate sections for warm and cold control and will be used for propagating, growing, and overwintering of various plant materials for use in the botanic garden. The garden currently has an existing greenhouse on the grounds, which is in need of repair and lacks the necessary space to grow a wide variety of plants. The existing greenhouse building will remain, and the new building will be constructed next to it. The new greenhouse will be constructed of steel and polycarbonate. It will not be open for public display.

“Clark Botanic Garden suffered so much damage after Hurricane Sandy, but in recent years we are seeing a real rebirth thanks to the dedication of this administration and the parks staff,” said Council Member Zuckerman. “This is a park we can all be proud of and I hope that everyone will plan a visit soon to see for themselves.”

Parks Commissioner Jill Weber stated: “We are looking forward to the completion of the new state of the art greenhouse at Clark Botanic Garden. This greenhouse will make it possible for our staff to grow unique, new and hard to obtain plant materials to plant around the garden.”

The new greenhouse will help Clark function in its mission as a botanic garden, according to Town horticulturist Bonnie Klein.

“With the new greenhouse, I hope to expand Clark’s collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and heathers and to present a wonderful variety of plants to the public,” said Klein.

The footprint of the new greenhouse will be approximately 60’ x 41.5’ and will be constructed next to the older one. The new greenhouse will not be open for public display.

In addition to the new greenhouse, other capital projects slated for Clark Botanic Gardens include the rehabilitation of the ponds at Clark ($50,000 in 2016 and $100,000 in 2017). The rehab includes sediment removal, pump work and various water rehabilitation methods.

In 2017 the Town’s Capital Plan has dedicated $250,000 for the replacement of the parking lot and walkways to make them more environmentally responsible and also ADA compliant. The first phase will replace parking lot with permeable pavers, which allow storm water runoff to soak back into the ground, filtering out impurities and replenishing our aquifers, and will also include the installation of a rain garden in the lot. Future phases of the project will include replacing all walkways with permeable pavers.

Here, Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, Parks Commissioner Jill Weber, Supervisor Bosworth and Council Member Peter Zuckerman, review the plans for the new greenhouse.