Bloomingdale Park will get a $5.5 million facelift to its athletic fields it was announced Thursday by the New York City Parks Department during a groundbreaking ceremony.
The project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2020.
NYC Park Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, Borough President James Oddo, City Councilman Joseph Borelli, State Senator Andrew Lanza and State Assembly members Michael Reilly and Charles D. Fall were among those in attendance to discuss the reconstruction of a synthetic turf soccer field and the construction of a new synthetic turf multi-purpose field.
Upon its completion, the brand new multi-use synthetic turf field will accommodate activities including free play, toss sports, picnics and more. Additionally, the project will fully reconstruct an existing synthetic turf soccer field.
Bloomingdale Park is a 138-acre site featuring a playground, comfort station, active recreational fields, basketball courts, trails, and paved pathways. As part of Staten Island’s Bluebelt, the park is also home to natural and undeveloped wetland areas and a stream.
The project was funded by a $3.2 million allocation from the City Council and $2.25 million from Oddo.
"We want to build parks and green spaces that improve the quality of life for its users. Here at Bloomingdale, we know the value of having fields available for the most committed athletes and for those who would like to plan a quiet family picnic,” said Silver. "We are happy to break ground on this project that will afford park-goers an opportunity to do both right here in their backyard.”
“If I marketed a magical elixir that would help ward off illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and that also improved all aspects of one’s physical, mental and socio-emotional health, while improving cognitive function and academic performance of students, Staten Islanders would buy it by the case. That wondrous ‘potion’ does not come in a bottle, it comes in the form of movement. It’s called exercise,” added BP Oddo. "Encouraging Staten Islanders of all ages to be outside, moving around and getting more exercise is an endeavor worth the time and money.
"In this instance, the money is $3,344,000 of tax dollars, $2.2 million of which came from our Borough Hall allocations and the balance coming from our good friend, former (City) Councilman Vinny Ignizio. These wonderful brand new amenities belong to you – Staten Island – use them and be healthier, happier, and smarter.”
Borelli acknowledged the fact the fields are used all the time.
"The athletic fields at Bloomingdale Park receive a tremendous amount of traffic and use, but by regularly investing in parks and community assets like this one, we hope that they will continue to be enjoyed by Islanders for years to come,” Borelli said. "I remain a staunch advocate for the proper upkeep and maintenance of our City’s parks and green spaces, and, as such, the Borough President and I could not be happier to fund these upgrades to Bloomingdale Park.”
Lanza, who was instrumental in opening the park, referred to Bloomingdale Park as an Island gem.
“Some 15 years ago when I partnered with Mayor (Michael) Bloomberg and Borough President (James) Molinaro to create Bloomingdale Park I couldn’t have imagined just how important this park would become to the quality of life here on Staten Island. Bloomingdale Park is truly a gem among our many Staten Island parks,'' said Lanza. "These fields were the first public athletic fields on Staten Island’s South Shore. The park has been enjoyed by many thousands of Staten Islanders since.
"I commend Borough President Oddo, Councilman Borelli, NYC Parks Commissioner Silver and Borough Parks Commissioner (Lynda) Ricciardone for these improvements and for their commitment to our parks,” Lanza concluded.
“I am thrilled to participate in today’s groundbreaking at Bloomingdale Park! I thank Council member Borelli, former Council member Ignizio, Borough President Oddo, and those at the Parks Department for making these exciting new improvements possible,” Reilly said.
“It is great to see that we are doing everything we can to ensure our communities stay active and receive modern recreational amenities. I want to thank NYC Parks Commissioner Silver, Borough President Oddo, Council Member Borelli and all those involved for securing these additional amenities for Bloomingdale Park,'' added Fall. "The surrounding communities of Bloomingdale Park and future generations stand to benefit greatly from these improvements.”