Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, May 7, 2003

BROOKLYN GOES BATTY FOR CRICKET

Last Friday, another sport was added to the roster of athletics our City’s parks offer. The very first field dedicated solely to the sport of cricket was opened by Parks & Recreation. The cricket pitch, as it is known, is located in Brooklyn’s Spring Creek Park and is part of the new 17-acre park that was built by Related Retail Corporation, the developer of the nearby Gateway Center. Commissioner Benepe was joined by 300 cricket players from the United States Cricket Promoters Association and the New York Metropolitan Cricket Association. State Senator John L. Sampson, Assembly Member N. Nick Perry, Council Member Charles Barron, Council Member Kendall Stewart, and Assistant Vice President of Related Retail Corporation Michael Stone also attended the ribbon cutting.

"Cricket is an international sport continually growing in popularity and I can't think of a better place to celebrate it than in New York City," said Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "With the help of Related Retail Corporation, New York City is now 17-acres greener and the residents of East New York have a new park."

At the event, nineteen flags were raised representing countries where cricket is played. Cricket, a field sport played using bats and a ball, was first played in England over 300 years ago. This new cricket pitch is the first in a New York City park to be designated solely for the sport.

In addition to the cricket pitch, the new Spring Creek Park also features a running path, a bike path that connects to the Shore Parkway bike system, and a scenic walkway along a wetland. Spring Creek Park will eventually be a 45-acre park, featuring both passive and recreational activities and features. The park was built, and will be maintained by, Related Retail Corporation as mitigation.

The Gateway Center shopping center adjacent to the park that opened on October 1, 2002 is home to ten national retail chains and three family-style restaurants. It is the largest economic development project in the borough outside of Downtown Brooklyn, $192 million, and created more than 1,700 jobs in New York City.

"Till you feed us, right and wrong can wait."

(1898-1956)

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