Highland Park

Parks Kicks Off The Opening Of A New Athletic Field At Highland Park

IMMEDIATE
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
No. 77
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Yesterday, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Council Member Erik Martin Dilan and community soccer and youth football players to celebrate the opening of a new state-of-the-art synthetic turf field and improvements to the surrounding area.

“Thanks to Council Member Dilan’s generation allocation of more than $2 million, the athletic field at Highland Park has been transformed,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Park users from both Queens and Brooklyn can play on this state-of-the-art multipurpose synthetic turf field for soccer and football. The new spray shower and performance space offers new ways to stay cool and have fun at Highland Park this summer.”

The ribbon cutting marked the completion of a brand new multi-purpose synthetic field made possible thanks to $2.25 million allocated by Council Member Dilan. Additional improvements included new bleachers, fences, gates, concrete curbs, paths, pavements and a water fountain. The existing wading pool was also reconstructed to accommodate a spray shower and performance space.

Located on the border between Queens and Brooklyn, Highland Park is home to numerous free sports clinics throughout the summer including those in soccer, football and basketball. In addition to athletic activities, nature lovers can enjoy bird-watching and walks through natural areas in the park.

Highland Park is one of eight regional parks across the city included in the Mayor’s PlaNYC initiative that were once envisioned as spectacular resources for the surrounding region, but have yet to reach their potential. Together, these sites will become regional destinations through a planning effort with the surrounding community to develop green spaces, outdoor recreational centers with opportunities for all ages, and sports facilities that reflect the shifting recreation interests of today's New Yorkers.

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