BOROUGH PRESIDENT MOLINARO, REP. VITO FOSSELLA & THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BREAK GROUND ON $3 MILLION ROADWAY & PARKING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT MILLER FIELD

New entrance should reduce congestion at Hylan Blvd. and New Dorp Lane; additional parking should help resolve long-standing complaint from visitors

[Washington, DC] – Borough President James P. Molinaro, Congressman Vito Fossella  and Gateway National Recreation Area Superintendent Barry Sullivan today broke ground on a $3 million improvement project at Miller Field that will provide access to a new parking lot on Miller Field from Father Capodanno Boulevard. It is designed to reduce the overcrowded parking conditions by increasing parking capacity through the addition of a new parking lot and the expansion and resurfacing of three existing parking areas. Approximately 175 new parking spaces will be available. The project will also upgrade pedestrian and bike access.

The roadway and parking improvement project is being funded with $500,000 from the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, and $2,500,000 from the Federal Lands Highway Program with the support of Fossella. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

Molinaro said, "I am pleased that this long-awaited project has finally come to fruition, and I look forward to the removal of hundreds of cars from neighborhood streets. I am hopeful that this will ease the traffic burden for homeowners and local businesses, and perhaps make New Dorp Lane and Hylan Boulevard, our Borough's most dangerous intersection, a bit safer."

Fossella said, "This project is one more victory in our efforts to enhance the park and give Staten Islanders a facility that rivals the best in the nation. The lack of adequate parking at Miller Field has always been a major problem. It's all too common for visitors to have to search nearby local streets for a spot because every lot is full. This project should make visiting Miller Field more convenient and enjoyable for thousands of Staten Island families."

Sullivan said, “The National Park Service is delighted that this project will create a better visitor experience through expanded parking and improved pedestrian and bike access to the park. We’re very grateful for the support we received from Congressman Fossella and Borough President Molinaro, for it was their support which helped make this project possible.”

The new, 55-space parking lot (Parking Lot D) will be located in the eastern section of the park and will be accessed by a new lot entrance at the end of Father Capodanno Boulevard. The new parking-only entrance will help remove hundreds of cars from neighborhood streets, including Staten Island's most dangerous intersection, New Dorp Lane and Hylan Boulevard. The new entrance is also expected to ease congestion and parking concerns for the residents, business owners, and business patrons along nearby Midland and Lincoln Avenues.

The project also calls for adding approximately 175 new parking spaces to existing Parking Lots B, E and F. Specifically, the plan adds:

*   50 additional spots to Parking Lot B to bring its total to 226;

*   25 additional spots to parking Lot E to bring its total to 125,

*   45 additional spots to Parking Lot F to bring its total to 305.

In addition, Parking Lots E and F, which are currently gravel, will be paved and lined.
  
This latest improvement project comes several months after Fossella and NPS officials announced a series of other initiatives to enhance Miller Field, including $100,000 in federal funding to rehabilitate the turf in the park's 110 acres of athletic fields and to repair several of the parks backstops and metal support poles. In addition, Fossella and NPS announced last year plans to double the seasonal maintenance staff at the facility to eight employees for the 2008 season.

The NPS is also developing a comprehensive master plan for Miller Field that will focus on enhancing the ball fields, parking lots and restrooms for visitors.
 

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