Town and state officials teamed up together with the Smithtown Parks and Recreation Departments, local sports leagues, families and surrounding businesses on October 13 to celebrate the official ribbon cutting and opening of the brand-new athletic fields at Charles P. Toner Park (The Armory) in Nesconset.
Teams from SJN Youth Football, SJN Youth Cheer, and Smithtown Youth Lacrosse were on hand with their coaches, players, and families to commemorate the special day alongside town and state leadership. The two new multi-sport athletic fields mark a major milestone for the Smithtown community; providing local leagues and residents with safe, accessible, and high-quality facilities for generations to come.
“This new facility reflects the best of Smithtown; teamwork, collaboration, and community pride.” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim. “It’s a place where our young athletes can grow, compete, and learn life lessons that extend far beyond the field… Between the new athletic complex at Toner Park, and the improvements at Cy Donnelly Park, combined with the updated fields in St James, Hauppauge and plans in Commack, we’re building a connected network of first-class recreational spaces across Smithtown. These projects represent more than just infrastructure; they’re investments in our families, our neighborhoods, and the health and vitality of our entire community.”
Completed just in time for football season, the new fields will serve over 600 families, including approximately 220 football players, 200 cheerleaders, and 200 lacrosse players — giving Smithtown’s young athletes their first official home field. The facilities are also open and accessible to all Smithtown residents year-round, offering new opportunities for recreation and community use.
The upgraded complex features:
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A PFAS- and microplastics-free synthetic turf field for multi-sport use.
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A hydroseeded natural-grass field, engineered with high-quality fill and advanced drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding and extend playtime.
- A concession-style building for teams and spectators.
- Bleachers for fans and families.
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A beautiful scoreboard donated by community member Sean Hickey.
Before design and construction began, the Town’s Parks and Recreation Departments collaborated extensively with parents, coaches, and league leaders to create a balanced plan that reflected community needs. With some families preferring grass and others turf, the Town delivered a solution that satisfied both—one of each—ensuring safety, performance, and long-term value.
The athletic fields, engineered by Hayduk Engineering and constructed by Laser Industries, with surrounding fencing by RFC Residential Fences; selected through a competitive, anonymous public bid process, required significant site preparation. The pre-construction phase of the project included grading, leveling, and the addition of quality fill materials. The improved drainage infrastructure will reduce weather-related cancellations and give youth leagues more consistent, reliable and safe field time.
The new athletic fields at Toner Park are part of the Town’s ongoing commitment to expand and enhance recreation opportunities across Smithtown. Future upgrades to the nearby pickleball courts at the Armory and the recently completed improvements at Cy Donnelly Park to the west are just two examples of how the town is building a connected network of premier recreational facilities for residents of all ages.
In recent years, the town has also completed new athletic fields and park upgrades at Whitman Hollow Park (Apple Park), Gaynor and Moriches Parks in St. James, and Browns Road Park in Nesconset — giving local leagues a true home field advantage, generating new revenue for the Town, and boosting surrounding businesses. To date, the Town of Smithtown has completed approximately 75% of its comprehensive park improvement plan, continuing to invest in spaces that strengthen families, community, and local quality of life.