Astoria gets new ball field

Local sports leagues from Astoria and beyond can now play in Astoria’s new multi-use ball field at St. Michael’s Park.
Located on 31st Avenue at the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the $4.2 million facility, which was formerly a worn-down ball field, opened officially on Saturday, December 6.
The first high-tech public field of its kind in Astoria, this new all-weather park features a turf soccer and baseball field.
The facility has flood lights for evening games, new bleachers, drinking fountains and a new chain link fence. These additions complement the existing playground, fitness equipment and handball courts.
“Lights! Soccer! Action! Welcome to the greatest show on turf,” said at the park opening Councilmember Peter Vallone, who represents Astoria and secured the funding for the project.
“When I was younger, I won the YMCA dirt league championship on this field, and it was called the dirt league for a reason,” Vallone said. “Now we have turned a large dust bowl into one of the nicest fields in the city.”
Many sports leagues from different boroughs have requested the field, which will be open to them at specific times, but preference will be given to Astoria teams, explained Andrew Moesel, spokesperson for Vallone.
The project took seven years to fund, design and complete, Moesel added.
“This park continues the Department’s commitment to bringing first-class facilities to the people of Queens,” said Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Borough Commissioner for the Department of Parks & Recreation. “We look forward to years of great competition in this great new facility.”
St. Michael’s Park was created in 1941 from land left over from the construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, according to the Parks Department.