Co-op City Field

What was here before?
These ballfields share the same name as the surrounding Bronx neighborhood, Co-Op City.

Through the 1940s, the Co-Op City property was an undeveloped swamp owned by the City. The Freedomland Amusement Park Corporation purchased a portion of the land, but the land remained undeveloped. After World War II, the Army attempted to acquire the property to construct an airfield. The Army went so far as to draw up blueprints and maps of the proposed base, but Power Broker, Robert Moses (1888-1981) had other plans.

Moses envisioned a system to improve New York’s housing situation, which involved erecting modernized apartment buildings in vacant areas, moving tenants in, and then replacing their former residences with similar complexes. Moses hoped this would create a cycle that would eventually revolutionize housing. Co-op City was a model of his vision.

How did this site become a playground?
In 1975, a plan was drawn up between the City and Co-Op City manager, Riverbay Corporation, for the creation of Co-Op City Fields. In 1979, the site was deeded to Parks.

The site consists of a pair of fenced baseball fields with dugouts and there is a walkway with bleachers, a small picnic area, and restrooms. The fields are also home to the Co-Op City Little League.