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The story of the Honeybees
Obituary: Herbert Payne, MFD
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VOL. 73 NO. 36
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Baseball field to get new turf makeover By MIKE POLANSKY
Youngster enjoys pushing the buttons on the sign installed at John Burns Park to help autistic children communicate better while at play.
Town parks become more playful O’Bay installs signs to help autistic kids communicate By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
The Town of Oyster Bay has partnered with Rocco’s Voice for Autism to install autism communication boards in various parks to enhance accessibility for children with autism. This project, supported by the Warner Fund, features symbols and images to aid non-verbal communication, helping children express themselves and engage with peers. “Rocco’s Voice for Autism is a truly inspiring organization working to ensure every child feels welcomed and included,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I share this mission, which is why we’re working to install play communication boards in our town parks.
He added that communication boards create a universal language for all children to play together— regardless of ability—and that the town welcomes the opportunity to foster an understanding and compassionate environment. Installed in 15 parks, including John. Burns Park in Massapequa, the installation of the signs was completed in early August. Anna Di Chiara of Rocco’s Voice for Autism noted the project’s origins, saying that their initial interaction with the town began when a meeting was set up to discuss the need for inclusive parks. “The town was incredibly receptive and on board with us,” she said. These boards, featuring images of com CONTINUED ON PAGE XX
The Town of Oyster Bay is embarking on a significant upgrade for the main baseball field at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa. The planned improvement will transform the natural surface infield into a state-of-the-art synthetic turf infield. A Town spokesperson explained that the focus of the project is the infield, which endures more wear and tear during play. Replacing just this section is both more cost-effective and practical than overhauling the entire field, said Town officials. Construction is expected to commence in late fall, with the goal of completing the upgrade in time for Opening Day 2025. The project is out for a competitive bid. The Town highlights that synthetic turf fields typically have a useful life of up to 10 years. Despite their initial expense, they offer a more economical solution in the long run compared to maintaining natural grass and dirt surfaces. Additionally, turf fields can reduce the number of game cancellations due to weather, as they handle rain more effectively
than traditional infields. The Synthetic Turf Council’s March 2024 report reveals that the U.S. currently has between 12,000 and 13,000 synthetic turf sports fields, with about 1,200 to 1,500 new installations annually. While some studies suggest that turf fields may lead to a 20% increase in non-contact injuries, these findings primarily pertain to football fields. Town officials argue that baseball fields with artificial turf are more even and predictable, potentially reducing injuries and improving player satisfaction. It is expected that the bases on the upgraded Burns Park field will be set at 60-, 75and 90-feet to accommodate multiple levels and ages of athletes. Former Little League coach Marco LaRocca, who was out at the field pitching to his son last weekend, voiced strong support for the upgrade. “I think the change will be beneficial to the Town and to the players,” he said. “It will mean less upkeep for the Town and fewer injuries for the players.” LaRocca noted that natural grass fields often suffer from ruts and holes after rain, leading to ankle and leg injuries. The Burns Park field serves CONTINUED ON PAGE XX
This week we recognize our subscriber Edward Scali of Massapequa Park as our Reader of the Week