Senator Flanagan And Supervisor Foley Unveil New Accessible Bathrooms At Bald Hill

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) joined with Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley to announce the opening of new wheelchair accessible rest rooms at the town’s wheelchair softball field. Senator Flanagan, who originally secured $150,000 in state funding for the construction of the accessible ball fields, was able to secure an additional $80,000 to offset the cost of the facilities.

The Ball Field at Bald Hill is an accessible facility and the first on Long Island specifically designed for wheelchair use. Opened in September of 2003, the field’s playing surface is designed with ball field dimensions and complies with the National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA) rules and regulations.

Since it opened, those who play and attend games at the field have used portable facilities that were located at the site. The new permanent and wheelchair accessible bathroom structure will replace those portable bathrooms and, according to the town, will serve approximately 1,000 residents through the playing season.

"We in Brookhaven Town are dedicated to providing access to our parks and recreational facilities for every resident," said Supervisor Foley. "We are proud to have the only ball field on all of Long Island that was built for wheelchair use, and I welcome Senator Flanagan's assistance in getting the funding that allowed us to build these permanent wheelchair-accessible bathroom facilities. This is another example of the good work that gets done when different levels of government cooperate to serve their constituents."

"This ball field opens the fun and excitement of softball to a great number of athletes and these athletes and their fans deserve to have access to appropriate facilities. Hopefully, with this new addition, even more players and fans will be able to participate. I am proud to partner with Supervisor Foley and the Town of Brookhaven in building on this successful project and wish all the players all the best," stated Senator Flanagan.