Kruzansky does most of the soil and water testing
in his makeshift lab in the North Meadow Recreation Center, first built as a horse stable in 1930. The inside of the building, lined with green lockers and sparsely decorated, is also used by zone gardeners working in the area.

One of the few amenities of the building is a water cooler, used by Kruzansky for making hot tea. A real environmentalist, Kruzansky uses Smuckers Strawberry jelly jars as tea cups. According to Kruzansky, not only are the glass jars recyclable but the screw-top lids keep the tea warm.

Although organized, the lab, tucked away in the back left corner of the building, has a film of dirt everywhere. But dirt is Kruzansky's business.

Once in the lab, the testing begins. To get clay, sand and silt readings, Kruzansky places the soil samples and a separation liquid into metal cups like those used for making milkshakes. Then, he applies a blender to the cup, creating layers from each of the elements.

"It's basically the same process as making a milkshake," said Kruzansky, a smile on his unshaven face. "But I doubt that you would enjoy the ones we make here."

Kruzansky is only the third soil scientist to work at Central Park, which added the lab in 1980. Since 1984, he has run the lab by himself, with help from an occasional intern. Kruzansky came to the soil lab after giving up consulting at an engineering firm.

Living in the city, Kruzansky is glad that he works at Central Park. "This is my yard," said Kruzansky. "I would go crazy if I didn't have access to some kind of yard. I do this because I love this job… It just can be a little hard on the knees."

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