All-Purpose Field Unveiled in Town of Cortlandt
A field of dreams for many residents and officials in the Town of Cortlandt became a reality last week.
A grand opening ceremony was held September 15 for a lacrosse and all-purpose field on Sprout Brook Road, on the former site of a lightly used swimming lake and a popular water slide that was taken out of commission many years ago for safety reasons.
The approximately $825,000 bill to transform the two-acre property was paid in large part ($500,000) by the developers of Hanover Estates, a 27-home development on Croton Avenue that initially included plans for a recreational field that was scrapped after opposition from residents. Instead, town officials were able to negotiate with the developer to fund a field elsewhere.
“It takes a great team to put a project like this together,” said Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi. “It does take a couple of years from the beginning to the completion.”
The Town Board had discussed possibly installing a water spray park on the site but the cost of extending water lines was too expensive. A few years ago soccer parents and other residents then approached the town’s Recreation Department about adding another recreational offering to a growing complex that includes a Little League field, two softball fields with lights, a soccer field, a dog park, a playground and a pavilion.
“We knew there was a need for a lacrosse field. Here it is,” said Cortlandt Recreation Superintendent John Palmiotto. “This is a great field. We can’t wait until the spring comes around. We’re very excited about it.”
Youth lacrosse coach Robert Porter said March will be a special time when the field is officially ready for use.
“This is quite exceptional. We had a concern that we needed a home. We have a home,” he said.
Michael Huvane, chairman of the town’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Advisory Board, thanked the Town Board for committing about $325,000 to the project.
“These things don’t happen simply because there’s a need. It’s a vision, and visions don’t happen overnight,” Huvane said. “We should never take these things for granted. There’s a lot of competition for your tax dollars.”
Town Board members Debbie Costello and Seth Freach said creating more fields for youth was well worth the investment.
“I am beyond thrilled to see this field come into service,” Freach said.
Puglisi mentioned more fields could be on the horizon in Verplanck on a 100-acre property Cortlandt purchased from Con Edison.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/