City Hall’s idea for massive sporting event in Bronx gets pushback from some residents
With the International Cricket Council World Cup set to come to the United States next summer, Mayor Eric Adams thinks that Van Cortlandt Park could be an ideal spot to host some of the games.
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An idea from City Hall is looking to potentially bring a massive sporting event to the Bronx, but some residents are worried it could bring a headache to the community.
Van Cortlandt Park is no stranger to people playing cricket. With the International Cricket Council World Cup set to come to the United States next summer, Mayor Eric Adams thinks that the Bronx park could be an ideal spot to host some of the games.
“We have a long history of cricket here,” said Carol Samol, board of directors member for the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. “I love cricket here, it's fun to watch."
Multiple local politicians think that building the required 34,000-seat temporary stadium would make the park unusable for an entire year, as would take up over half of the parade grounds area of Van Cortland Park. They also say that it would take over two years and $1 million to just regrow the grass.
“It is a big open space, but it is not a vacant lot, and it feels a little like that's how it's being treated,” said Samol.
"It would be great to have an event like this somewhere in the Bronx where it's appropriate, and I applaud the mayor for trying to do this in the Bronx, but the parade ground in Van Cortlandt Park? I don't see how this could possibly work,” said Councilmember Jeffrey Dinowitz.
Residents do acknowledge the potential benefit it could provide for small businesses, but highlight that parking is already an issue nearby and that the stadium would only worsen the issue.
