Smithtown Town Officials unveiled details for a $4 Million renovation of Flynn Memorial Softball Complex during the April 9th work session. David Swift Architects and RDA Landscape Architecture led the presentation to the Town Board, giving an interactive tour of the Old Commack Road park reconstruction.
“Flynn Memorial was once an economic boom for the town of Smithtown. Based on favorable discussions with the USSSA, local sports leagues and a number of other major organizations, we are confident that this reconstruction will generate major tournaments while providing our youth with state-of-the-art ball fields to play and compete on.” – Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
The park’s four fields will be resurfaced with synthetic turf with a built-in drainage system underneath. This modern approach to field maintenance will allow playtime after rain and is much friendlier on the environment, not requiring nitrogen fertilizers to maintain. The fields are equipped with warning tracks and pitchers’ warm-up mounds. The park will feature LED Energy efficient sports lighting for night games, a rare feature among fields across Long Island. In the center of all four ball fields, a two-story air conditioned building will house a concession stand, pro shop and handicapped accessible bathrooms on the first floor with the second floor for officials, giving them an all-access view of the entire field. The design also includes additional parking and a storage garage to keep field equipment on hand for ease of access.
“We’ve already begun talks with a number of softball leagues and tournaments… These weekend events will help to attract tourism, dining and shopping that will help our local mom and pop shops with foot traffic, thousands of dollars in town fees… the potential to revive our small business districts is endless.” Councilman Tom Lohmann, Parks Liaison
Fans will enjoy covered bleachers to stay cool in the summer sun, and protective fencing along the outfield and backstops to protect pedestrians walking from each field. The playground will also be relocated more central to the fields.
Flynn Memorial Park was constructed in 1979. This is the first renovation/rebuild since it’s dedication. Two of the four ball fields are slated to be completed by 2020 with a completion date ready for the 2021 season.