By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
September 19, 2023-While Frank Principe Park in Maspeth is a beehive of activity for local soccer, the field a short corner kick away at Big Bush Park in Woodside was dormant as the old Astroturf field was torn up and dangerous to play on. The park is located between 61st and 64th Streets by Laurel Hill Boulevard, in the shadow of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and our league that primarily uses Big Bush Park, the Metrokids Youth Soccer League, advocated replacing the field since the spring of 2022. New York City Parks responded and put down a new high-quality synthetic turf field in 2023. Councilwoman Julie Won said her office had secured $847,000 from the Mayor’s office to finance the project, which is $423,000 less than the figure initially allocated for the revamp.
The Metrokids were very happy to return to Big Bush Park, and its new field, on Saturday, September 9 to kick off the Fall Season. The first match, at 8 am, was a Boys-Under-17 match-up between Black Volts FC and Victory United. Nine Metrokids games were played at Big Bush Park that day.
Metrokids President Cesar Juca stated, “It’s a beautiful field. Our teams have been practicing and playing games there. So far, so good.”
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/