Faces and Places: Barnhart Park

With all the Earth Day festivities winding down for the month, we wondered what, if any, impact this environmental awareness is having on the daily habits of younger generations. We went to Barnhart Park this blustery Wednesday to find some kids and 20-somethings and ask them if they are concerned about the world, and what they are doing about it. 

Did you do anything for Earth Day? Have your habits changed at all?

Edison Zhinin, 26, of Sleepy Hollow; warehouse worker

• "No, it's not affecting me. I have my baby now though, so I do worry a little. We recycle and use the washing machine at home instead of washing the dishes one by one; it only uses two gallons. We do save energy; it's expensive."

Philip Moiron, 22, of Continental Street, Sleepy Hollow; student and Starbucks barista

• "I don't really sit around thinking about it. I've been too busy working. But I think we grew up more aware. We know what could be the true impact of all these landfills and everything. It's easier for us to get information online."

Andis Lopez, 16, of College Avenue, Sleepy Hollow; Sleepy Hollow High School senior 

• "We talked about [Earth Day] in my media art class. We had to make a poster. Mine was about global warming. There were two sides. There was a dirty side with old factories and smoke and a clean side with blue sky and ocean. I wanted people to choose which side they wanted, and know that you have to work for it... In my life, I live in a big apartment building and people don't recycle that much. But I try to get a box and sort through stuff. I'm more aware of it than my parents."

Stephanie Lopez, 16, of Andrews Lane, Sleepy Hollow; Sleepy Hollow High School senior (and cousin to Andis)

• "In social studies we talked about Earth Day. Me and my brother always turn off the lights at home. He's especially into it."

Jelitza Torres, 10, of Chestnut Street, Sleepy Hollow; student at Washington Irving School 

• "At school they turned off all the lights on Earth Day for two hours... We recycle. We turn off all our lights. We unplug the charger for our iPods. Hold onto the past because it might affect your future."