NYC Parks Cuts Ribbon for Soccer Field at Sara D. Roosevelt Park

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Council Member Margaret Chin, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Susan Stetzer, Community Board 3 district manager and K Webster, president, Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition, and community members to celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished Lion's Gate Soccer Field at Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

"Providing New Yorkers with the high-quality spaces in which to play their favorite sports is important to the health and wellness of our city," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "The restoration of Lion's Gate Soccer Field is not only a great example of how the hard work of Parks' staff can impact a single community, but it also demonstrates how the dedication and care of a few can impact the city at large."

"I am proud to have worked with Parks staff and dedicated members of our community to ensure that the soccer stars of tomorrow have a durable, well-designed field in the Lower East Side to practice their sport," said Council Member Margaret Chin. "Parks play an essential role in keeping young people active and fit, and I look forward to working with Parks to rebuild, restore, and refurbish even more recreation spaces."

"Today's reopening of Lion's Gate Soccer Field at Sara D. Roosevelt Park means more goals as we move toward the goal of giving more New Yorkers more access to more turf, particularly in Chinatown and the Lower East Side," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "I thank Commissioner Silver, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition, and my colleagues for their continued work to improve our local parks."

Funded with $135,000 from NYC Parks' FY15 expense budget, the artificial turf field restoration project lasted seven months from design to completion, and only necessitated a three week closure. Artificial turf fields are more durable than natural grass fields, decrease our overall use of lawn mowers and pollutant pesticides, and can last up to ten years. Lion's Gate Soccer Field is one of the City's most utilized mini fields. Initially built as an asphalt field, it was transitioned to artificial turf 15 years ago; this is its first renovation.

Led by Manhattan Parks Chief of Operations Namshik Yoon, maintenance and operations staff responsible for the project include: William Gilbert (Deputy Chief Operations), John Quinzi (Park Supervisor 2), Arkim Hinds (Park Supervisor), Allan Hodge (Maintenance Man), Pedro Pineyro (Maintenance Man), Ramon Yanluis (Maintenance Man), William Dolan (Maintenance Man), Brandon Stiles (Maintenance Man), Lucas Segarra (Maintenance Man), Mike Mira (APSW), Ray Henderson (APSW), Hernan Cole (Heavy Duty CPW), Melvin O'Field (Seasonal CPW), and Jonathan Burgess (JTP).

Lion's Gate Soccer field serves the Lower East Side and Chinatown communities day to day, and is utilized by soccer lovers from across the boroughs who call the field home. Organized leagues that also use the field include Chinatown Athletic Council, New York City Urban Soccer League, Group Stage Soccer and NY Coed Soccer.