Long-awaited Capital Improvements Get Underway at Brentwood State Park Athletic Complex

ALBANY, NY (08/18/2008)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash joined State Senator Owen Johnson, State Senator Caesar Trunzo and Assemblyman Philip Ramos to break ground on a multi-million dollar plan to dramatically expand and improve athletic facilities at Brentwood State Park. The project is moving forward thanks largely to a $6.5 million grant secured by Senator Johnson and is part of a $132 million initiative to revitalize state parks approved by Governor David A. Paterson and the Legislature this year.

"This state-of-the-art athletic complex will provide Brentwood families with a great way to get out and participate in healthy sports and recreation and enjoy spirited competition," Governor David Paterson said. "It will be a tremendous resource for a community in need of quality recreational facilities."

"In the few short years since it opened and even before this much needed critical investment, Brentwood State Park has become a community anchor. Not only will these new facilities greatly improve the park, they will improve the quality of life in the Brentwood community," Commissioner Ash said. "I'm deeply thankful for the support of Governor Paterson, Senators Johnson and Trunzo, Assemblyman Ramos and their colleagues in the Legislature for their commitment to a strong state park system, which is so important to the health, well-being and economy of New Yorkers."

"There's a proverb that says that ‘good things come to those who wait,'" noted Senator Owen H. Johnson. "The people of the Brentwood community have no doubt waited for a quality outdoor recreation area that they can be proud of to call their own. With today's groundbreaking, we're that much closer to the day when our children will be playing sports at the state-of-the art Brentwood Athletic Complex. I want to thank my colleague, Senator Caesar Trunzo, and all the dedicated members of the community who rallied with me behind this project from day one. I also want to thank Governor Paterson, Commissioner Ash and Regional Director Foley for all their work in seeing this project through. Together, we have proven that good things do come to those who wait."

"So many people worked long and hard on this plan for a ‘Field of Dreams' in Brentwood only to have their enthusiasm deflated when the funding was vetoed in 2006," said Senator Trunzo. "I'm just thrilled that we were successful in getting this money back. Everyone in Brentwood has reason to celebrate now."

"It's crucial that we work together to provide positive alternatives for our youth. I am pleased to have worked with other elected officials to bring home the resources necessary for the betterment of our community," Assemblyman Ramos said.

"It is thrilling to see the progress we have made at this athletic complex. We waited so long and we thank all of the state representatives who have been involved in seeing this project come to fruition. Our kids cannot wait to play on these magnificent fields," said Violette Smith, President of the Brentwood Athletic Complex.

Construction will begin this year on eight of 18 planned soccer fields; two of four baseball fields; a maintenance building, which will include storage, food concession space and restrooms; and an announcer's building, which will have storage for the baseball fields as well as a small concession area. One soccer field and one baseball field will have lighting. Work will also commence on a restroom facility that later will be connected to the park's main building.

At the same time, design work is moving ahead on the second phase of the project, which will consist of the remaining ten soccer fields, two baseball fields and the remainder of the main building - which will be attached to restrooms constructed in Phase I. The main building will have offices for the park as well as the soccer and baseball organizations, assembly space and storage. The total cost of the multi-year project is estimated at $15 million.

This year's renovations are part of a $132 million capital improvement spending plan that Governor Paterson and the Legislature advanced in this year's state budget for New York's 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. The $132 million is the single largest capital investment in the history of the state park system. The infusion will enable the state to begin addressing the system's extensive capital needs - needs that have been estimated at nearly $700 million.

The 52-acre Brentwood State Park, which opened in 2003 after the land was transferred from the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, attracts 100,000 patrons a year.

For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.

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