Council vote paves way for West Sayville lacrosse park

The Suffolk Council on Environmental Quality opened the door Wednesday for what could become the county’s first lacrosse park, in West Sayville, but urged a ban on night-game lighting, increased plantings to protect nearby homeowners, and limits on the number of games.

The council voted 5-0 with one abstention that the 14.6-acre project would not pose any environmental harm if its mitigation recommendations were followed.

The county began talks to buy the property in 2005 when local residents looked to block a proposed 27-home development. The county now has a contract to purchase the tract, located south of the Long Island Rail Road tracks, east of Rollstone Avenue, from Kurt Weiss Greenhouses Inc.

Under the plans, Islip Town would maintain the property through an agreement with the Sayville Lacrosse Club. The county legislature must authorize the final sale. The price will not become public until the sale resolution goes to lawmakers.

Rick Bartlett, director of the lacrosse club that services 300 to 400 youngsters, said, “This would be an incredible asset and give us a place we can call home,” and promised to make it available to players aged 5-13 from around the county.

The site plan includes three lacrosse fields, which could also be used for baseball or football, a playground area, a 1,200-square-foot concession stand with bathrooms, and gravel parking for 230 cars. The plans also include a 700-foot road on a 30-foot-wide right of way off Rollstone Avenue. Dave Genaway, Islip planning commissioner, said the town estimates that the park at its busiest on weekends would attract 100 to 120 cars an hour.

Genaway said the town would use $210,000 from the sale of one acre of Hidden Pond Park in Hauppauge to the local library to help pay for the park work, and wants the lacrosse group to share the expense.
 

Pictured: Young lacrosse players at practice.