PARK IN EXETER NAMED FOR SENATOR MUSTO

A nature park in Exeter will be named after state Senator Raphael Musto to honor his environmental efforts.

The Exeter Borough Park and Recreation Committee will conduct dedication ceremonies for Senator Raphael Musto Nature Park. The event will be Saturday, May 12, beginning at 1 p.m. at the park, which is at the corner of Donna's Way and Silver Bell Drive in the Fox Meadow development in Exeter.

Hot dogs, hamburgs and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend. There will be a brief program.

Exeter officials said Senator Musto was chosen for the tribute because of his work on behalf of the environment. Musto is the longtime Democratic chairman of the senate's Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and has authored some of Pennsylvania's landmark environmental legislation.

"Senator Musto has helped Exeter Borough in numerous ways to improve the town," said Exeter Mayor Joseph Coyne. "And he has done the same for other Luzerne County communities."

The mayor said Exeter's recycling program was nearly non-existent eight years ago. He said Exeter now has a state-of-the-art operation because of Musto's support and reassurance.

"Our program is now one of the finest in Pennsylvania because of the support of Senator Musto," Mayor Coyne said. "Not only are we No. 1 but we've brought five other towns into recycling and reduced the need for land filling."

The nature park includes a pavilion, bench, picnic table and birdhouses as well as paths and trails. Borough officials said initial finding came from a $3,000 prize from Fleet Bank awarded to the town's children for a community project.

An additional $10,000 came from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Officials hope to pay for further improvements, such as a grill for the park, through donations, fund-raisers and grant applications.

Senator Musto is considered the senate's expert on environmental issues. Musto's legislation includes the state's amendments to the federal Clean Air Act; a statewide hazardous material safety program; and a statewide environmental education program for school students.

The lawmaker also sponsored the amendment creating Pennsylvania's curbside recycling program. The program, which is the largest in the country, has gained national recognition.