The County Board on Dec. 15 approved a contract for nearly $1 million to renovate two diamond sports fields and supporting facilities at Tuckahoe Park. Through a donation from Bishop O’Connell High School, the fields also will get a new electronic scoreboard, which will be shared by both Bishop O’Connell High School and the county. The high school will pay for the scoreboard.
The board voted 5 to 0 to award the contract to Bennett Group, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The capital improvements also will include accessibility improvements for people with disabilities and a bio-retention pond to improve storm water runoff and better support the health of our waterways. Construction is set to begin in early spring of 2016 and be completed by the fall.
These renovations are part of the FY 2015 Parks Maintenance Capital program to improve existing parks and update their facilities for area residents. A community open house was held on March 26 at nearby Tuckahoe Elementary School to gather input on community needs and interests for the fields.
The fields to be renovated are mainly used by Arlington Babe Ruth, Arlington Soccer Association, Arlington Girls Softball Association, Bishop O’Connell High School and for drop-in community play. Besides renovating the fields and adding the electronic scoreboard, additional work includes updating the batting cages, spectator bleachers, player benches and bullpens and picnic tables.