{"id":251353,"date":"2026-06-01T21:01:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T21:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/251353\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T21:01:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T21:01:11","slug":"petition-seeks-to-save-irreparable-van-cortlandt-park-stadium-from-demolition-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/251353\/","title":{"rendered":"Petition seeks to save \u201cirreparable\u201d Van Cortlandt Park Stadium from demolition \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

An online petition<\/a> is gaining support as community members push to save Van Cortlandt Park Stadium from demolition after the Parks Department deemed the structure \u201cirreparable\u201d following a yearlong planning study.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe state and building has deteriorated beyond repair and will ultimately need to be demolished,\u201d said Bronx Parks commissioner Jesenia Aponte at an April 22 Community Board 8 Parks and Recreation committee<\/a> meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, the question is not if, but when,\u201d Aponte added.\n<\/p>\n

The stadium\u2019s future came into question after Parks officials unveiled the findings of the study, which identified extensive structural, environmental and accessibility issues that officials say make rehabilitation infeasible.<\/p>\n

\"\"A crumbling pillar of the Van Cortlandt Park stadium is secured with netting for safety precautions, as is the back wall, where people play handball and paddleball. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Still, community members rallied on May 31 to promote a petition and letter to elected officials urging the city to establish a timeline for repairs and pursue funding for the stadium\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

Johanna Edmondson, a Riverdale resident and member of Female Fight Club<\/a>, wrote the petition on behalf of local residents and athletic groups that use the stadium and surrounding facilities. She said the effort is aimed at ensuring community voices remain part of the conversation as officials determine what comes next.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to make sure that the decision makers can help us to push forward a plan, whatever it is, to get the funding,\u201d Edmondson said. \u201cThis could take years, years to get whatever is to come back and continue to provide the service to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmondson pointed to the recent reopening of the Orchard Beach Pavilion<\/a>, another Works Progress Administration-era structure that underwent years of planning, funding efforts and reconstruction before reopening.<\/p>\n

\"\"Spearheaded by Johanna Edmondson, owner of Female Fight Club in Riverdale (center,) the rally turnout was small, but filled with heavy hitters. Participants included co-organizer Adina Rivera, Manhattan University alumna with a degree in civil and environmental engineering; Stephanie Ehrlich and Christina Taylor, executive director and deputy director of the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, respectively; Camelia Tepelus, resident of Spuyten Duyvil and executive director of the Morris Park BID and a few locals. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever should be there should be free for the community, and we should not be excluding anyone, because we live here, and we\u2019re residents, we\u2019re taxpayers,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

According to Parks officials, the study identified a range of structural deficiencies. The building\u2019s foundation is too shallow, causing concrete cracking that would continue to require repairs every four to five years. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have not been replaced since the stadium was built and would require complete replacement.<\/p>\n

The study also found asbestos, lead and PCB contamination within the building, along with what officials described as a \u201csizable\u201d rat infestation. In addition, the facility is not ADA-accessible and does not comply with modern building or energy codes.<\/p>\n

The existing athletic field would also need to be expanded to meet NCAA standards, a change that would not be feasible within the current stadium footprint. Because of those issues, repairing the existing structure is not considered viable, according to Maralisa Wise, director of architecture for NYC Parks.<\/p>\n

\"\"Cracks and rust throughout the Van Cortlandt Park Stadium are pervasive. Such as the one pictured.Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

The study included a community engagement period from Oct. 29 to Nov. 25, 2024, during which more than 1,000 park users participated in surveys, on-site outreach events and public meetings held over Zoom.<\/p>\n

Parks officials outlined two possible redevelopment concepts. One would include a membership-based recreation facility with a gymnasium, indoor fitness rooms and additional indoor and outdoor amenities. The second would operate as a non-membership community center while preserving historic elements of the original structure.<\/p>\n

The stadium has been closed since 2021 after flooding caused by Hurricane Ida. According to the Riverdale Press<\/a>, no major capital work has been performed on the facility since it was built.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plan is to try to find the funding so that once it is demolished, we can rebuild right away, and build something that\u2019s actually usable for the community,\u201d said Christina Taylor, Deputy Director for the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Rally co-organizers, Johanna Edmondson (pictured) and Adina Rivera, walked around the Van Cortlandt Stadium, soliciting petitions from park-goers. Photo by ET Rodriguez<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t been inside this building in about 10 years. because I was terrified when I was in it 10 years ago,\u201d Taylor recalled. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine what it looks like now that it\u2019s been closed to the public for five years. It\u2019s unfortunate, but it wasn\u2019t built for today\u2019s community.\u201d<\/p>\n

NYC Parks said the yearlong study was launched in response to requests from community boards and feedback from public meetings about the future of the stadium and surrounding recreational spaces. While officials initially hoped the study would identify a path toward restoration, they ultimately concluded that the building could not feasibly be repaired.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety of park patrons is always our number one priority. The stadium stands are still safe for park goers to sit and enjoy, and no amenities around the building will not be disrupted during any future construction work. The next steps will be to develop a strategy to ensure public safety while providing for community priorities in both immediate and long-term solutions. NYC Parks is working to secure funding for the future of the stadium,\u201d wrote Judd Faulkner, deputy press secretary for NYC Parks.<\/p>\n

The Parks Department said there is currently no timeline for demolition and that officials are still determining the scope and timeline of any future redevelopment project.<\/p>\n

Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram!<\/a><\/p>\n