An online petition is gaining support as community members push to save Van Cortlandt Park Stadium from demolition after the Parks Department deemed the structure “irreparable” following a yearlong planning study.
“The state and building has deteriorated beyond repair and will ultimately need to be demolished,” said Bronx Parks commissioner Jesenia Aponte at an April 22 Community Board 8 Parks and Recreation committee meeting.
“At this point, the question is not if, but when,” Aponte added.
The stadium’s future came into question after Parks officials unveiled the findings of the study, which identified extensive structural, environmental and accessibility issues that officials say make rehabilitation infeasible.
Still, community members rallied on May 31 to promote a petition and letter to elected officials urging the city to establish a timeline for repairs and pursue funding for the stadium’s future.
Johanna Edmondson, a Riverdale resident and member of Female Fight Club, wrote the petition on behalf of local residents and athletic groups that use the stadium and surrounding facilities. She said the effort is aimed at ensuring community voices remain part of the conversation as officials determine what comes next.
“We want to make sure that the decision makers can help us to push forward a plan, whatever it is, to get the funding,” Edmondson said. “This could take years, years to get whatever is to come back and continue to provide the service to the community.”
Edmondson pointed to the recent reopening of the Orchard Beach Pavilion, another Works Progress Administration-era structure that underwent years of planning, funding efforts and reconstruction before reopening.
“Whatever should be there should be free for the community, and we should not be excluding anyone, because we live here, and we’re residents, we’re taxpayers,” she added.
According to Parks officials, the study identified a range of structural deficiencies. The building’s foundation is too shallow, causing concrete cracking that would continue to require repairs every four to five years. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have not been replaced since the stadium was built and would require complete replacement.
The study also found asbestos, lead and PCB contamination within the building, along with what officials described as a “sizable” rat infestation. In addition, the facility is not ADA-accessible and does not comply with modern building or energy codes.
The existing athletic field would also need to be expanded to meet NCAA standards, a change that would not be feasible within the current stadium footprint. Because of those issues, repairing the existing structure is not considered viable, according to Maralisa Wise, director of architecture for NYC Parks.
The study included a community engagement period from Oct. 29 to Nov. 25, 2024, during which more than 1,000 park users participated in surveys, on-site outreach events and public meetings held over Zoom.
Parks officials outlined two possible redevelopment concepts. One would include a membership-based recreation facility with a gymnasium, indoor fitness rooms and additional indoor and outdoor amenities. The second would operate as a non-membership community center while preserving historic elements of the original structure.
The stadium has been closed since 2021 after flooding caused by Hurricane Ida. According to the Riverdale Press, no major capital work has been performed on the facility since it was built.
“The plan is to try to find the funding so that once it is demolished, we can rebuild right away, and build something that’s actually usable for the community,” said Christina Taylor, Deputy Director for the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
“I haven’t been inside this building in about 10 years. because I was terrified when I was in it 10 years ago,” Taylor recalled. “I can’t imagine what it looks like now that it’s been closed to the public for five years. It’s unfortunate, but it wasn’t built for today’s community.”
NYC Parks said the yearlong study was launched in response to requests from community boards and feedback from public meetings about the future of the stadium and surrounding recreational spaces. While officials initially hoped the study would identify a path toward restoration, they ultimately concluded that the building could not feasibly be repaired.
“The safety of park patrons is always our number one priority. The stadium stands are still safe for park goers to sit and enjoy, and no amenities around the building will not be disrupted during any future construction work. The next steps will be to develop a strategy to ensure public safety while providing for community priorities in both immediate and long-term solutions. NYC Parks is working to secure funding for the future of the stadium,” wrote Judd Faulkner, deputy press secretary for NYC Parks.
The Parks Department said there is currently no timeline for demolition and that officials are still determining the scope and timeline of any future redevelopment project.
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
