ICAHN STADIUM

December 2007

NEWS FROM THE FIELDS


GREAT NEWS: BRONX SHORE FIELDS!

A plan for the new Bronx Shore Fields, formerly the site of the proposed waterpark, has been created. This new plan is being received enthusiastically by community and park users. After much effort and work by our design and construction team, the fields will be incorporated into our current construction schedule. The revised plan includes 5 new stand-alone fields on the Bronx Shore (2 full-size baseball and 3 regulation soccer fields), which will greatly increase permits available on the Island. The plan also includes upgrades to the Harlem River Event Site that will enhance the Island’s capacity to provide space for public recreational purposes through improved irrigation and reconditioning. The existing 9 softball fields at this site will help us address the transitional needs of Park users on Randall's Island for the spring 2008 season. We expect to be able to permit these softball fields during weekday after-school hours (3:00 pm - 6:00 pm), which will be shared between current permit holders and PSAL teams. Our weekend softball permits will be reserved for youth leagues until 3:00 pm each day. Our efforts to find alternate playing fields to accommodate as many of our displaced permit holders as possible are ongoing. We continue to seek additional funding sources, including State EPF grants, toward increased and improved amenities based on the new configuration of this parkland. We anticipate improving the Park amenities, especially the pathways, parking, comfort stations and increased access to the Bronx Kill waterfront.


CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

In News from the Fields we strive every month to update you on the latest construction progressing throughout the Randall’s Island Sports Fields Development. Anyone who has been on the Island recently can see that construction is ongoing in a number of areas, not only in the fields but under roads and along sidewalks as well. Our contractor has now moved into the Sunken Meadow Fields and is beginning to do the initial work to rebuild the fields there. Once the surface has been brought to a level grade, the contractor will begin installing the necessary utilities, water and electric, that will irrigate and power the 36 fields slated to be built there: 29 bat and ball fields and 7 soccer/lacrosse fields. Our contractor has also begun work on Wards Meadow Fields, the future home of six new soccer fields. Utility work will continue on the East River and Central Fields throughout the winter. The roads throughout the Island are feeling the pinch right now as many visitors are restricted to one lane to accommodate the utility work being done. Those taking a bus or driving around the Island should do so with caution due to detours and restrictions. The reason many major utility lines and water mains are being placed under the roads rather than the fields is to facilitate future servicing or emergencies. Placement of the utilities under the roads ensures that maintenance or service may be done with minimal impact to the new fields. Also, now that the season for inclement weather has arrived, drivers and pedestrians should watch out for ice on roads and sidewalks. As always, the safety of those working on and visiting the Island is everyone’s number one priority. In order to keep progress moving on the Island, our contractor will work throughout the cold winter months to keep the project on schedule.

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