New Soccer Field at Oceanside Park Officially Kicks Off

With youth soccer players and their parents and fellow club members in attendance, the directors of the Oceanside United Soccer Club along with dignitaries from the Town of Hempstead, helped kick off the official opening of the new soccer field at Oceanside Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on April 16th, 2005.

Club directors Brian Trager, Bill McAssey, Jim Volpe, Leo Bonacasa, Peter Gilbert and Todd Kramer, as well as club-founders and directors Bessie & Phil Lamonica, Joe Goldberg and Ian McDougall, along with Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino were on hand to welcome an energetic crowd on a bright, crisp Saturday morning.

The field itself is a spacious 120 yards (long) by 70 yards (wide) and will be used to support the ever-growing needs of both OUSC's youth travel and intramural programs. It is located in the southeast section of Oceanside Park (adjacent to the pool area), which is located at the southern border of the Boardman Middle School, on Mahlon Brower Drive and Dot Court East.

"This brand-new soccer field at Oceanside Park was created in large part due to the hard work and cooperative spirit of Pete Bussa, Michael D'Ambrosio and Ellen Igoe. Their efforts along with the perseverance of Town of Hempstead officials, Councilman Anthony Santino and Supervisor Kate Murray saw the dream of a soccer-specific field become a reality," stated OUSC Director Brian Trager in his opening remarks.

"The folks at Oceanside soccer came to me a few years ago, saying that they were bursting at the seams and needed a new place to play," said Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino. "I identified an area at Oceanside Park that was underutilized. Former Supervisor Guardino embraced the idea and the current Supervisor Kate Murray, was enthusiastic too. We put money into it, moved some picnic tables and are very happy to add this brand-new soccer field".

Following introductions and brief speeches, the club acknowledged the support of Supervisor Murray and Councilman with a presentation to each.