Kickin’ It at North River

We recently had the opportunity to join with the FC Harlem Lions, a Harlem-based non-profit youth development soccer organization, and Chelsea FC stars Ashley Cole and Michael Essien to make a wonderful announcement that will have a real positive impact on the community — a new covered soccer field will be built on DEP property adjacent to the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The $2.5 million field, funded by private donations, is expected to be constructed of synthetic turf and enclosed with a galvanized steel tensile fabric structure that is open air at its base and at its southern end. The new field will operate in addition to an open-air field FC Harlem Lions currently operate one block south of the proposed site. There are also plans to incorporate green infrastructure into the design by managing stormwater runoff via crushed stone French drains along the east and west sides of the tensile structure that lead to a stone infiltration gallery beneath the field.

FC Harlem Lions and Executive Director Irv Smalls have been great partners of DEP’s in activating underutilized space surrounding the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant through their strong community-based programming. We are looking forward to partnering with them to provide a new recreational amenity in Harlem!