FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2006
Contact: PAUL PERILLIE, MAJORITY CAUCUS AIDE -- #(631) 854-4500

Sunflowers to Soccer Fields
Legislature Approves Resolution to Acquire Mohlenhoff Property

Surrounded by officials from the County, the Town of Huntington and a variety of land preservationists and supporters of youth athletics, Suffolk County Legislative Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) announced the final agreement to acquire the 11-acre Mohlenhoff property in Huntington for use as active parkland. The measure was unanimously approved at the Legislature's June 27th general meeting and the County closed on the property on July 19. The family farm turned garden center is probably best known for its annual vista of enormous sunflowers viewable from Oakwood Road.

The resolution sponsored by County Executive Steve Levy and co-sponsored by Cooper completed the acquisition process. Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington will own the property jointly with both parties agreeing to split the purchase cost. The acquisition of the site comes after a long and complicated struggle between the County, town and potential developers. The purchase preserves the parcel under the Suffolk County Open Space, Farmland Preservation and Hamlet Parks Fund.

The Mohlenhoff family started farming the land in 1936, when that part of Huntington was considered wilderness. Located on West Rogues Path, which in the thirties was a dirt road, the farm later evolved into a florist and garden center that was well known across the island as one of the best until its closing in 2005. Adjacent to the 300-acre Froehlich/Wicks Farm Nature Preserve, the parcel is home to numerous species of birds, including the red-tailed hawk. Sitting above one of Long Island's nine major aquifers, the parcel is also part of the West Hills/Melville Special Groundwater Protection area.

Since Legislator Cooper learned the property was going on the market in December 2004, he led the fight to preserve the parcel for open space and youth recreation. Coordinating with County Executive Steve Levy, Huntington Town Councilman Stuart Besen and a variety of local groups opposed to development, Cooper was able to facilitate the intergovernmental purchase that successfully staved off several factions that wanted to use the acreage for other purposes. Getting all sides to agree to the purchase was no easy feat since the parcel was appraised considerably lower than the initial $6 million asking price.

"This is a significant purchase for the people of Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor," said County Executive Levy. "This land was enjoyed by generations, first as a farm and later as one of the premier local garden centers, and will be enjoyed by future generations as much-needed recreational fields for the community."

The South Huntington Union Free School District initially had designs on using the fields as a school bus depot for storing and maintaining 110 vehicles in their fleet. But concerned that polluted groundwater flows—including hydrocarbon drippings from buses coming off the property—would have a detrimental impact on land already preserved and could degrade the watershed, the Task Force for Groundwater Protection gathered more than 1,000 petition signatures to protest the plan. Then the Huntington Manor Fire Department proposed that part of the property be developed as a sub-station and firefighter training facility. Legislator Cooper vigorously fought both proposals.

Eileen Darwin, Chair of the Task Force for Groundwater Protection, stated that the purchase of the property was "a victory for preserving our major water aquifer. I am looking forward to the town and the county working together on the soccer and playing fields."

The Mohlenhoff property will now provide state-of-the-art recreational youth facilities to the Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor communities. The 11.6 acres of land will cost the town and county altogether $4.1 million and will be the future site of recreational fields for youth sports such as soccer, and perhaps lacrosse or football.

"This is a great opportunity for the community," said Don Vogel, president of the Cold Spring Harbor/Huntington Soccer Club, a non-profit youth soccer organization founded in 1976 that serves kids ages 5-19. "Right now, we have no dedicated soccer fields for the 1,300 kids who rely on our programs."

The demand for safe, high-quality youth sporting fields is a nationwide problem. The scarcity of playing space is most prevalent in urban and suburban communities. Once the Mohlenhoff fields are open, Vogel's club intends to expand, allowing in even more kids from the community by disseminating bilingual registration materials and creating programs for children with special needs.

The need for the fields, and the exercise they will provide for kids, is especially critical given the disturbing rise in childhood obesity. According to a 1999 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1 out of every 8 children is now considered obese and 1 out of every 7 teenagers is overweight. The percentage of overweight kids has tripled since the 1960s. The consequences of being overweight can lead to debilitating problems that can last a lifetime. The U.S. Surgeon General's Office reports that overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. Playing just one game of soccer (90 minutes) burns about 600 calories, almost 50 calories more than are in a fast-food cheeseburger. The most immediate consequence of being overweight—as perceived by children themselves—is social discrimination. This can cause poor self-esteem and lead to depression. Exercising releases endorphins from the brain, which can reduce sad and angry feelings.

"The purchase of this property not only preserves precious open space," said Legislator Cooper. "It also provides our children with a great opportunity to develop healthy, active lifestyles to carry them through their whole lives."