More Non-Permitted Time for Public on New Turf Field in Washington Park

The Brooklyn Paper reports that on Tuesday night the Parks and Recreation Department, local parents and sports organizers reached a tentative compromise  that will allow more free play on the new turf field behind the Old Stone House in Washington Park (formerly known as JJ Byrne Park). 

Wow. That was a quick resolution of what could have been a prickly problem.

Here's the deal that's in the making: the artificial grass sports field will be open to anyone on Friday evenings and for periods of time on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Previously the only non-permitted time was a paltry four hours a weekend for the public. The rest of the time was going to be reserved for permitted sports activities. 

Community members were not happy. Local parents wanted to have access to the park, too. And they were not happy with the four hours they were given each weekend so they got organized. Luckily, the matter was resolved rather quickly.

Sure, a little more time, especially after school, might have been a bigger win for the community but Judy Schneier, the parent/citizen who decided to fight City Hall (or in this case the Park Department) was happy with the results of her efforts on behalf of the community.

“The Parks Department gave something, but we would have liked a little more after school time," Schier told the Brooklyn Paper.