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The Daily Plant : Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Parks Cuts The Ribbon At Sid Augarten Ballfield

Photo by Tara Kiernan

On Saturday, April 6, NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte joined City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell, Congress Member Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, New York City Comptroller John Liu, Sid Augarten’s widow Mrs. Lenore Siegel, and children, parents and coaches from the North Riverdale Little League to cut the ribbon on the renovated Sid Augarten Ballfield.

Prior to the event, the North Riverdale Little League held their annual opening day parade beginning at Van Cortlandt Park’s Kelly Ballfield and culminating at Sid Augarten Ballfield. After the field's ribbon cutting, they played their first game of the season.

This $1.7 million reconstruction of the Sid Augarten Ballfield was funded with allocations of $1 million from Council Member Koppell, $610,000 from Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and $100,000 from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

“The beginning of spring means that baseball season is finally underway!” said Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte. “We are thrilled to cut the ribbon on the reconstructed Sid Augarten Ballfield. Thanks to generous funding allocations from the City Council, the Borough President and the Mayor, neighborhood children can enjoy a field of dreams to pursue their big league aspirations.”

“I am delighted to participate in the opening of the wonderful rebuilt Little League field,” said City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell. “I am proud to have allocated $1 million dollars to its construction. My son played ball on this field many years ago. The field will give pleasure and important physical activity to thousands of boys and girls.”

“I am excited that the renovations to the Sid Augarten Ballfield have been completed,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Our kids will now enjoy this premiere field just in time for the spring and the North Riverdale Little League opening day celebrations. This ballfield is great for this community and the entire Borough. Our kids deserve a great field they can play on and be proud of, and now they have one.”

The project reconstructed the natural turf ballfield with new entry gates, perimeter fencing, accessible seating, dugouts and backstop, drinking fountains, site furniture and pavement. Native woodland areas were reconstructed with additional plantings. Improved drainage and a new water supply infrastructure were included.

The field honors Sid Augarten (1928-1971), who served as commissioner and president of the North Riverdale Baseball League for ten years.