With scorching temperatures pushing residents outdoors in search of relief, some in West Hempstead turned to local parks for a bit of shade. But what they found at Halls Pond was anything but refreshing.

“It’s like actually disgusting,” said Daysia Wehder, of West Hempstead. “There’s a million bottles, a bike right here, it’s so much garbage.” Wehder had hoped to film a social media video at the pond but was shocked by the conditions. The pond was nearly empty, filled with trash ranging from plastic bottles to balloons and even bicycles.

Halls Pond sits at the entrance to the West Hempstead community; a location some say should serve as a welcoming green space. “It is a gateway to our community,” said Owen Rumelt, of the West Hempstead Support and Civic Association. “We do want this to be a nice place for families to come and just sit and enjoy the pond.”

But right now, it’s not just unsightly and it smells terrible.

Rachel Orenbuch, another West Hempstead resident, said the pond is just one of several issues.

“It’s disappointing with the litter, the odors that come from the pond, and the small space of the playground," she says.

In a statement, the Nassau County Commissioner of Parks explained that sediment must occasionally be moved with heavy machinery, but this can only be done when water levels are low.

“Currently, we are not at the stage where dredging is necessary,” the statement read.

In the meantime, the Department of Public Works is working to clean the area, but many say that isn’t enough.

“There are living things inside that water,” said Wehder. “I feel like this is an urgent matter.”

Residents had a chance to voice their concerns at a community meeting Tuesday night at the American Legion Hall, 233 Woodlawn Road, West Hempstead.