A Field-Good Story As Big Bush Park to Receive Needed Renovations

Big_Bush_sign_for_Web

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

September 13, 2022-This spring and summer, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) advocated replacing the badly-worn out Astroturf field at Big Bush Park, located between 61st and 64th Streets by Laurel Hill Boulevard in Woodside. New York City Parks has responded and announced that a new high-quality synthetic turf field will be put down next spring.

The repairs will cost $1.27 million and are being fully funded by the Mayor’s office. The Parks Department said the renovation is a high-priority project.

“We thank the community for its advocacy and patience as we move this project forward,” the agency wrote in a well-worded statement.

On a recent Saturday, Big Bush Park was dormant except for a child being watched by his mother on the playground and two men talking on a park bench as the soccer field is in very poor condition. Meanwhile, one mile away at busy Frank Principe Park in Maspeth, the Metrokids Youth Soccer League (MYSL) was hosting their Champions Cup on one field with pick-up soccer games on the other field and people jogging around both fields.

The renovation of the soccer field at Big Bush Park will come five years after a different section of the park, to the north of the soccer field, underwent a $1.8 million revamp to make way for a children’s play area and passive recreation.

Eastern New York and the Metrokids thank New York City for funding the renovation and caring about the safety of its residents.

With approximately 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/