Forest Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, March 4, 2004

PARKS & RECREATION SPRINGS TO ACTION TO CONSTRUCT LINDEN PARK BALLFIELD

As adults discuss the Yankee's “A-Rod” addition, children throughout the city are brushing off their cleats and breaking in new gloves in anticipation of the start of baseball season. In Corona, Queens, the turf is being set for a brand new Little League field at Linden Park. On Tuesday, March 2, First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh and Council Member Hiram Monserrate joined representatives from community organizations and local Little Leagues to break ground for the latest synthetic turf field in Queens. Linden Park Ballfield, located on 104th Street and 41st Avenue, is the second Little League field in Queens to receive state-of-the art synthetic turf.

“One of our top priorities is to create new sports fields throughout the city,” said Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “With the newest technologies for synthetic turf, we can build new fields quickly and save money on maintenance. In the last two years, we’ve built over thirty new fields, encouraging young athletes to develop life-long fitness habits.”

Council Member Monserrate allocated $600,000 to revitalize the field at Linden Park. On Tuesday he said, “This invaluable green space is a place of health and recreation for one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country.” Addressing the crowd in Spanish, Council Member Monserrate thanked the city officials and community leaders who were, and continue to be, involved in the park. Local groups that have expressed enthusiasm for the new field include Corona Business Corp, Latin American Political Committee, New York Naval Military Cadets, and Queens Sports Academy. Captain Hank Yaeger of the 110th Precinct was also on hand to lend his support.

In addition to a synthetic turf surface, the new ballfield will have improved drainage and fencing. Young pitchers will be able to throw curve balls from new portable pitching mounds. Landscape Architect Shirley Kindler-Penzi oversaw the design of the field that was envisioned by Abel Bainnson Butz Landscape Architects. Resident Engineer Eddy Chan is managing the construction.

Linden Field is not the only field in Queens receiving star treatment; a few miles away, the green carpet is also being rolled out at Victory Field. Synthetic turf is made with a base of crushed rubber pebbles, but plays like real grass and feels like real grass. Synthetic turf fields also drain more easily, are environmentally friendly, and can be used year-round.

By late spring, Linden Park Ballfield will be renovated, giving los niños de Corona a brand new place to field balls, hit homeruns, and dream of joining Alex Rodriguez in the Majors.

Written by Jocelyn Aframe.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“Laughter of unseen children, cheerful chirp
Of crickets, and low lisp of rippling tide…”

Emma Lazarus