Councilman Stuart Besen with plans for the park
By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com
Hoping to expand recreational opportunities at Veterans Park Sports Complex in East Northport, the Huntington Town Board has unanimously authorized $4.5 million in improvements that include the creation of new playing fields, a playground and nature trails.
The wide-ranging renovation, which has been in planning stages since the 1990s, is divided into three distinct phases. Phase 1 is slated to launch sometime this fall and calls for construction of a new parking area and an access road leading to the new synthetic fields, which will be located to the northeast of the existing park, according to town officials.
“There is a tremendous need for synthetic turf fields in Huntington to help meet a booming demand for field space,” said Councilman Stuart Besen, who noted that $3,210,000 of the amount would be paid with available town funds and the rest financed with bonds. “Our fields are constantly being used and it’s more cost effective to install synthetic fields. When they are completed, I believe Veterans Park will be a showcase for years to come.”
Located on Bellerose Avenue, Veterans Park currently contains two grass fields, two Little League baseball fields and handball, volleyball and basketball courts as well. To accommodate expansion of the park, the town partnered with Suffolk County in 2000 to purchase an adjoining 80 acres, 20 of which will be developed for active recreational use. The remaining 60 acres will stay in its natural state as a passive park, as part of Phase III.
Meanwhile, Phase II calls for the construction of a concrete skate park and a “boundless” playground, which is a space specially designed for children with disabilities. To make room for the playground, Besen requested that the Northport-East Northport School District transfer a small piece of property surrounded by existing town parkland. The three-quarter-of-an-acre parcel had already been used as a soccer field for 25 years.
“My initial goal was to have the synthetic fields available for games and practices by the late spring, and we’re confident that we’ll meet that deadline,” explained Besen, who noted that California-based Laser Industries has been contracted to install the fields.
The benefits of synthetic fields is that they are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to data from the American Sports Builders’ Association. Moreover, artificial surfaces don’t become muddy in wet weather and studies suggest that field usage may increase by a factor of three, with no reduction of field surface quality.
At this time, Besen is not forecasting the project’s completion date beyond Phase I. The town does plan, however, to strengthen security at the park by converting a building into a small post for the Suffolk County Park Police and the Suffolk County Police.
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