North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena and the Town Board announced the ongoing transformation of the town’s park system with upgrades to four Little League baseball fields across the community. The work was largely made possible using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It will bring state-of-the-art synthetic turf infields to Caemmerer Park, Fuschillo Park, and the Eight & Asbury Ballfield, dramatically improving playability and reducing weather-related cancellations.
The work was designed and carried out by the LandTek Group, a local industry leader in sports facility construction. The nearly completed projects convert traditional, high-maintenance, clay infields to synthetic turf and include soil excavation, synthetic turf installation, curbs and irrigation modifications, portable mound installation, fence removal and reinstallation, and topsoil and seeding around the new playing surfaces. The total ARPA investment for these renovations is $800,095.
“This is all part of our ongoing effort to improve the town’s infrastructure,” DeSena explained. “But that doesn’t mean just roads and streetlights. It includes our parks where our communities exercise and play.”
At Caemmerer Park in Albertson, two baseball fields received the turf installations. The Town also secured a $125,000 grant from New York State to fund the addition of a batting cage, new cubbies and benches in the dugouts, and dedicated storage for local leagues. An additional $90,000 is being invested in dugout improvements, including the installation of concrete bases and corrugated roof shades. The fields at Caemmerer Park support a variety of youth baseball and softball programs, serving organizations such as the Albertson-Herricks Little League, Williston Park Little League, and St. Aidan’s Middle School teams.
Primarily used by the Carle Place Little League, the baseball field at Fuschillo Park is undergoing the ARPA-funded upgrades with the installation of the new synthetic turf infield. The Town is also investing $50,000 in the complete replacement of the surrounding fencing. Additionally, the Eighth & Asbury ballfield, also located in Carle Place, has been renovated with new turf, a reconstructed backstop, and upgraded infield fencing. This field, which also serves the Carle Place Little League, is receiving an additional $52,000 in enhancements, including new concrete dugouts, improved bleacher areas, a new perimeter fence, and corrugated roof shades.
Councilman Ed Scott, who represents Albertson and the surrounding areas, added, “People talk about making sure kids get off their phones and get outside for some exercise, but we’re making it happen. We want parents to have safe, modern, and weather-resistant fields where their children can really enjoy playing the game.”
The Town anticipates full completion of the project in the coming weeks, with the new fields ready for use in the spring season. A video of the fields can be seen here.