STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — From a dust bowl to a field of dreams, a new turf field is officially open at Totten Intermediate School (I.S. 34).
On Thursday, Principal John Boyle, Borough President Vito Fossella, Kevin Moran, who is acting deputy chancellor of operations for the city Department of Education, in addition to school staff, students, and other education department representatives gathered outside to unveil the new multi-sport turf field, replacing the previous grass field at the Tottenville school.
“For decades, this grass field was beautifully kept, lovingly maintained, and played on seven days a week, but as time came, so did wear,” said Boyle. “With drought, came dust. Over the last few years, our field, our home, began to dry up. We still loved it, we still used it, but it slowly transformed into a dust bowl. And for a long time, the idea of fixing it or building something bigger or something lasting felt like just a dream. But dreams have a funny way of taking shape when you surround yourself with the right people … So here we are today, six months after breaking ground on June 10, opening our field back up to our Eagles.”
The field, which was announced in April and under construction since June, will serve student athletes in several sports, including softball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and football.
Boyle kicked off the festivities on the field with performances by the school’s cheerleading and dance teams and the school’s band. Boyle, Fossella, and Moran, school staff, and students gathered to officially cut the ribbon to declare the field open — complete with sparklers and a fog machine.
The field is designed with end zones in the school’s dark blue colors with the words “TOTTEN” written across. The school’s emblem, which contains the school’s name and its eagle mascot, is situated largely at the center of the field.
“We’re on a field of dreams, where people come together and work as a team,” said Fossella. “When you work together as a team, anything is possible. You all had a dream, you came to us, we agreed, we tried to fulfill that dream, and today, here we are.”
After remarks, the school performed sets of ceremonial “firsts,” such as the first field goal, first passing touchdown, first pitch on the baseball field, first soccer goals, and more.
According to Moran, I.S. 34’s new field marks the only regulation-sized football field at a middle school in New York City public schools. This is because I.S. 34 was the former home of Tottenville High School before the secondary school moved to its Huguenot location on Luten Avenue.
“We delivered this for you and hope for many generations to come. It doesn’t happen without your leaders in Principal Boyle and our great borough president,” said Moran.