Bloomingdale Park

Parks & Recreation Cuts The Ribbon On New Soccer Field At Bloomingdale Park

Today, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro State Senator Andrew Lanza, Council Member Vincent Ignizio and Council Member Michael McMahon to cut the ribbon a new $1.2 million synthetic turf soccer field in Bloomingdale Park. Commissioner Benepe also presented Borough President Molinaro a public service award from the New York State Parks & Recreation Society.

“Last summer, when we broke ground on improvements to this field at Bloomingdale Park, it was a giant dustbowl. Now, we are excited to open a state-of-the-art soccer field for the future Mia Hamms and David Beckhams,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Thanks to the continued generosity of Borough President Molinaro, South Shore residents will have even more opportunities for healthy recreation.”

Bloomingdale Park now features a synthetic turf soccer field as well as new pavement, benches, and bleachers. Improvements have also been made to the storm drainage system and irrigation of the lawn. Bloomingdale Park’s 138 acres consist primarily of natural areas, but the recent population growth in the surrounding neighborhood has spurred the need for more recreational opportunities and organized field sports, especially soccer, which officials noted has become the most popular sport among Staten Island youth.

The New York State Parks & Recreation Society is the principal organization promoting quality recreation and park opportunities for all citizens of the state through education, training, technical assistance and other support to local, county, state and federal recreation and park providers. The NYC Parks Department nominated the Staten Island Borough President for the public service award.

In September 2004, Parks & Recreation completed work on a 15-acre renovation of Bloomingdale Park for active recreation purposes. The new park design included fields for softball and baseball, a new playground with a spray shower and swings, two basketball courts, a bocce ball court and a comfort station. The playground also features integrated equipment for disabled children and their caregivers.

Bloomingdale Park is landscaped with interior nature trails weaving through the existing wooded areas, and an exterior bicycle path surrounds the entire park. A comprehensive landscape plan was developed to complement the existing wildlife with plants selected specifically for their production of seeds, berries and nuts. Native species of trees and shrubs have been used to supplement the preserved vegetation and forest.

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