Call it the battle of the ball fields.
Some residents in southern Queens are saying that area youth sports leagues should have their permits revoked, alleging that there is parking on lawns, double parking and a general disregard for park rules.
“They treat the property like it’s their own field,” said Frank Dardani, president of the 106th Precinct Community Council. “They have to be a little bit better in the community.”
Dardani said that the problems exist at Addabbo Playground, between 81st and 82nd Streets and North Conduit Avenue, and Gemini Fields, in Tudor Park at South Conduit Avenue and 80th Street.
“They bring pit bulls into Addabbo Playground, even though it’s clearly posted ‘No dogs,’” he said. “And there is drinking on Sundays in Gemini Fields.”
Parks Department spokesperson Trish Bertuccio said there had been no reports of pit bulls.
However, Ozone Park’s Southern Fields, on North Conduit Avenue and 114th Street, are worse, according to Dardani.
“A week or so ago, people were barbecuing in Southern Fields, even though it’s not permitted,” he told The Courier.
Bertuccio confirmed this.
“It’s horrible, our community is really suffering,” said an area resident.
Dardani alleges that the Woodhaven Soccer Club, among others, has not been a good neighbor.
“Just because they have a permit doesn’t mean they can have the field and the whole deal,” he said. “We need Parks to pull their permits and act very strongly when [problems] are brought to their attention.”
But president Anthony DiCocco calls the complaints “mindboggling.”
He points out that his 510 players – ages four to 17 – have been playing there for four years and are mindful of the field – and the residents.
“Every one of my members knows that once the game is over we pick up our refuse,” DiCocco told The Courier.
He said that they hold a permit from Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to closing and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, if their games are finished, said DiCocco, they vacate the green space.
With an emphasis on sportsmanship and academics, DiCocco said, “We’re keeping the kids off the streets. We have a great relationship with the Parks Department, Community Board (CB) 10. We’re trying to accommodate everyone.”
At the beginning of the season, he said, the non-profit paid for a porta potty. In previous years, not having bathroom facilities had been a deterrent for members.
“But after a week I was told I had to move it,” he said, noting that they have purchased other equipment as well.
DiCocco does understand the concerns regarding parking, however, there is not lot at the location, and he said he has been working with Aqueduct racetrack for spaces.
“Parks is working with the NYPD regarding the illegal parking, and the teams have been putting cones out to keep cars off the grass. We have had no complaints this year,” said Bertuccio.
The 106th Precinct is aware of the community’s concerns, is working with the Parks Department, and in fact had officers out and about this past weekend.
“They’ve done a great job,” Dardani said of the command.
“The police department has been very proactive, but it’s an ongoing issue,” echoed Betty Braton, Chair of CB 10, who noted that the league has met with the Board, and that the field is also used by local schools.
Community Affairs Officers Kenny Zorn and Brenda Bratcher were personally at Tudor Park, and Zorn said it was “very quiet this weekend.”
In fact, on Saturday, May 15 at noon, he said, none of the parks had any conditions.
“The Woodhaven Soccer Club has bent over backwards to be good neighbors,” he said.
“We’re doing this for the kids,” said DiCocco, who noted that no child is turned away, regardless of parents’ ability to pay a registration fee, and that the club even held a fundraiser last November to benefit the Our Lady of Grace Ministry of Care & Service food pantry.
