Sternberg Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Shea Stadium… Yankee Stadium… Sternberg Park!

Photo by Daniel Avila

Baseball fever is in full swing in New York City.  Last night, the Yankees began their postseason campaign with an 8-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers.  This afternoon, the Mets start their October run against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Their official mascot, Mr. Met, is known for spreading cheer throughout Shea Stadium.  But last week, Mr. Met temporarily left his Shea home to celebrate a new baseball field in Brooklyn. 

On September 26, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined City Council Member Diana Reyna, Chair of Community Board 1 Vincent Abate, District Manager of Community Board 1 Gerald Esposito, Mr. Met, and children from P.S. 250, the United Community of Williamsburg Pre-School and the Stagg Street Center for Children to cut the ribbon on the $3.8 million revitalization of Sternberg Park in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The renovations, completed in two phases and funded with an allocation of $3.5 million from Council Member Reyna and $300,000 from Mayor Bloomberg, have revitalized the playground, restored the comfort station and created a state-of-the-art synthetic turf ballfield.

“This project has transformed Sternberg Park into a state-of-the-art multi-use park that will greatly benefit nearby residents,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.  “Parks & Recreation is committed to creating clean and beautiful spaces for children and adults. The new playground and synthetic turf ballfield at Sternberg Park is an example of that commitment.”

The playground renovations include new play equipment, swings, a spray shower, a basketball court with color seal coat, a handball court, fitness equipment, picnic and game tables and benches. New fencing surrounds the park and the entire area has been landscaped with plantings. In addition to the new ballfield, Parks & Recreation installed new dugouts, benches, water fountains, accessible ramps to the field and new drainage. 

Renovations to the comfort station include new public restrooms, multi-purpose office space, and a basement storage area.  The building’s unique oval shape encourages connectivity throughout the park while the storefront style windows allow natural light into the interior.

Sternberg Park honors Frances Hamburger Sternberg, a New York native and active Brooklyn community member who contributed extensively to the social and political life of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg neighborhoods. Her life of philanthropy included chairing the Friends of Lindsay Park (this park’s previous name) Committee. In 1990, local law changed the name of the park to honor her life.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“If we're going to win the pennant, we've got to start thinking
we're not as good as we think we are.”

Casey Stengel
(1890 – 1975)