Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset, a local civic group devoted to cleaning and beautifying Syosset, has been very busy lately.

The once utility strip located on Jackson Avenue was transformed into a 100-foot community garden not too long ago by the group. The garden, which was neglected by nearby homeowners as they considered the utility strip county land and the county said it was up to local residents to keep the area clean, will be expanded on May 12. Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset will be planting $2,500 worth of flowering shrubs and perennials in the community garden and it will be expanded by 100 feet to the right and another 100 feet to the left. Lorand, a Syosset landscaper, was hired to tend to the garden weekly and eventually, two professional signs reading "Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset Community Garden" will be erected at the garden.

Residents will be assisted by the Syosset Teen Council, St. Edwards Teens Assisting People, the Boys Scouts, the Girl Scouts and the Syosset Garden Club on May 12. They are also looking for more volunteers. "We are reaching out to everyone," said Lorraine Donlon, corresponding secretary for the civic group. "Anyone with a shovel - we want you!"

Other upcoming events scheduled for the Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset include a 1.5-mile hike scheduled at the Stillwell Preserve on June 5. Richard Schary, who is involved with many environmental groups including the Greenbelt Society, leads hikes for the group every fall and summer. "Once you go a few feet into the preserve, you do not feel like you are in Nassau County anymore," said Donlon. "It is gorgeous."

Residents also works in collaboration with the Syosset Chamber of Commerce and have most recently joined them on the planning committee to help revitalize downtown Syosset. "We hooked the chamber up with Dr. David Sprintzen, a Syosset resident and a teacher at C.W. Post," said Donlon. "He is very involved in smart growth and downtown community revitalization and development. He is going to do a presentation to the chamber of how to make a master plan and how to go about getting grant money in forming a BID (Business Improvement District). Many communities have done this by refacing the storefronts and planting trees. We are hoping that works out."

Residents has also been committed to fixing-up local playgrounds the first of which recently received new equipment. The playground located on the corner of Peg Place and Honey Drive in Syosset is in the first phase of reconstruction, as no landscaping has been done but the Town of Oyster Bay issued updated equipment. There are 12 playgrounds in total on the Residents agenda and they figure it will take 12 years - a year for each playground. After the new equipment is in place, Residents will go in with the Syosset Garden Club and do some planting.

Residents is currently circulating a petition through local civic groups and the chamber to reopen the Landia Train Station to ease congestion at Syosset's train station. "We have hundreds of signatures and we expect to get thousands," said Donlon. "Many business owners are very upset because many potential customers drive by, can't find a place to park and keep going."

Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset is now over 330 families and they are still looking for members and garden donations. The civic group also started a web site, www.syosset.org, and since their Webmaster is relocating, they are looking for volunteers, interns or someone willing to do community service to continually update their site. Anyone interested in volunteering, joining or making a donation, can send inquiries to Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset; P.O. Box 446; Syosset, NY 11791 or call 921-8646.