Queens West Sportsfield open to the public. Hooray for Astroturf.
Queens West Sportsfield, 5th St between 47th Ave & 46th Rd, LIC
Time to play ball. The Queens West Sportsfield has officially opened it’s astroturf to the public. All you need is a permit and some turf shoes. But leave your pets and propane tanks at home.
Rules of the Queens West Sportsfield, Long Island City
Queens West Sportsfield
This sportsfield is managed by Queens West Development Corporation (QWDC) on an interim basis until construction is complete.
Field Rules
Those wishing to use the field must obtain a permit from QWDC at 212-803-3600. Permit will be issued based on space availability. Permittees must confine activities to the times specified on the permit.
The field is open from dawn until dusk, seven days per week.
No cleats of any kind are allowed onthe sportsfield, as they damage artificial turf. Turf shoes are required.
Rubber-soled shoes must be worn on the running track.
No dogs are allowed in the sportsfield.
Alcoholic beverages or tobacco products may not be sold or consumed on the sportsfield.
No smoking or Alcoholic Consumption will be allowed on premises.
Barbecuing and use of propane tanks are prohibited.
- New Recreational space opens in Long Island City [Queens Chronicle]
It’s the height of stupidity to put a ballfield right outside thousands of people’s bedroom windows. I know people in NY are starved for open space but this is just plain dumb — and butt ugly too.
Better than a parking garage, which is what 5th Street is full of.
God, what a botched attempt at urban planning that street is!
Did they even attempt planning on 5th st? As a side note, has anyone else destroyed their axles on those potholes where 5th st meets 48th Ave?? Disaster zone.
Hahaha what a joke. You have to get a permit to use the “grass”?
I wonder how long the track is? Anyone fathom a guess?
5th street should be turned into a one way street. or they should get rid of parking. I might get shot for saying that, but it’s already a tricky road to navigate.
i live at EC7 and you do not need a permit to use the field for general purposes. if you have one it obviously takes priority over the general public. it has been open for 2 weeks now and it is used all the time for random soccer and wiffle ball games. stop your complaining, relax and have fun with it….
EC6…I play football(soccer) there all the time, I’m glad it’s officially open. Now I don’t have to jump the fence anymore. I think this field is a great space as there is a lacking.
I feel they could have done something a bit smarter. Since this space is to remain open they should have used real grass. Its not everyday you find a pitch near by and it would have been nice to play on something authentic. The permit system is good as you can reserve to use the whole field for a game or team play (clubs should pay a fee to use pitch).
If turf is something that has to be due to maintenance issues then keep it and build a vertical sports complex with 4-6 playing fields or something. Vary ceiling heights based on play type. Charge a membership fee to use facilities much like Chelsea Piers, not as overpriced.
I find it strange that more adults play today than children.
#7 You are right. A lot of the streets in LIC should be one way. Its getting harder for two cars to pass each other. the only street that should have 2 way traffic is 48th and Center. The other street are too narrow.
#9 a grass field would get chewed up the first day after it rained. Within two months the entire infield would be dirt and be an eyesore. Turf was the way to go. Too much traffic to do anything else.
#2 Where would you put it? Miles away from where people live and can’t use it? This is not the suburbs where you jump in your cars and drive to the local park.
#10 at least adults still play. if the kids don’t play now, then certainly there won’t be adults playing in the future. probably because they’ll be sick. or dead.
isn’t this track and park right next to the site with the toxic dust that was blowing around?
#14 it wasnt toxic dust.
Hmm. I wonder how easy it will be for a bunch of local Hispanic soccer players, like those who play at McCarren Park, to obtain a permit.
It looks like they chose not to design baseball/softall use, into the field. Way too many windows, too close to the field.
Charlie.
#16 We will find out pretty soon because my 30 of my closest Hispanic friends and I will apply for one very soon. Buenos dias Hater.
18, no hate here. I just question how these permits will be issued, who won’t get them, etc.
#19, what is it that you are getting at?
What I’m getting at is that I think there is going to be bias against certain people in the neighborhood who want permits, while others — especially those of the lily white, yuppie persuasion — will be able to get a permit without a hassle.
Oh please. You’re so silly.
Well let’s just see. It’s usually white people who think that racism doesn’t dominate our social paradigms anymore. The rest of us are painfully aware that it does.
Anybody can get a permit. But too many crappy rules, who wants to go there anyway. Turf shoes required? Agreed, just go through the fence and use it however you want.
The track is really small. Probably one eighth of a mile.
This is a ballfield? I guess this is considered a give back….
Well at least it’s a start. We should validate the need for park space by using it. which people are. i’ve seen some nice pick-up type games going on… which is really cool.
# 6, Id be interested in playing some footie. Do you play on any set days. Do you have a couple of guys you run with?
#28 I think you meant number #8. I would also be interested in playing some Footie, Soccer, Football or Futball.
29, why don’t you just go ring his doorbell and ask his mommy if he can come out to play?
we should organize some pick-up games. that’s a good idea.
#29 that is a good idea. Too bad your mom does not let you out.
Ok, I I won’t see you there #32. Stay inside.
Who wants to start a Kickball League like Brooklyn’s?
No booze though??
34, kickball? How about ring-a-lario? Or red rover?
My god, didn’t you people go outside and play when you were kids and get it out of your system?
I’m fascinated by the need for grown-ups (I use the term loosely) to romp around playgrounds. Playgrounds used to be for kids. Today, you rarely ever see kids past the age of 6 in parks anymore unless accompanied by their parents, who have them under constant survelliance. We’re raising a generation of big babies!
haha. old fart. maybe you could have a bridge tournament in the park.
36, I might be an old fart. But at least I don’t strap a helmet on my head or wear elbow pads when I play a game a bridge.
By the way, kickball was always a girl’s game when I was growing up in LIC.
i don’t think i’ve ever seen anyone wear a helmet when they play kickball… i’ll have to check on the elbow pads.
#34, I would be down for a league. I’m not wearing safety equipment though.
Just for the record, Kickball is a rubbish sport. Football is not.
Hey #40
I go out there on the weekend and found out about football league starting up this summer on those fields. I played in other leagues in NYC and would take this field over Randalls Island and the league is inexpensive. This is the website
Ultimaterec.com
They also do ultimate and soccer.
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Any better pictures than the ones listed?