North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilman Robert Troiano and the North Hempstead Town Board were recently joined by former New York Jets Star Marty Lyons and the Carle Place Boys Varsity Football Team to cut the ribbon on the highly anticipated new turf field at Senator Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park. The unveiling of the new field caps off a renovation project that includes the completion of the two new playgrounds and the newly refurbished ball fields announced earlier this year.

"This new field makes a great park even better," said Kaiman. "Continuing to invest in our town parks is another way in which we are making great neighborhoods even better."

The new field is 120 yards by 70 yards, which meets NCAA Division I soccer standards. Ranked number one by the NFL Players Association, the new turf system replicates a natural grass surface, but offers the durability and cost benefits of synthetic fields. Turf is a safe alternative, resulting in documented reduction of sports injuries. The sand and rubber infill provides superior safety, grass-like stability and better long-term resilience.

"There is also no doubt that this new field will surely provide our children with delight for years to come," said Troiano. "It's enough to make you want to be a kid again."

Earlier this year the town announced the completion of the renovations to all three baseball fields at Tully Park. The renovations to the fields began last fall and included the complete rebuilding of their infields and reseeding and filling of the outfield areas. The largest of the three fields, the 90-foot north field, received a "Shea Stadium" style infield and the installation of a brand new drainage system.