Overview

Field of Dreams is a multi-use sports facility for the Town of Oyster Bay. These fields, which host numerous soccer, football, and lacrosse sporting events, each contain bleachers, a wireless electronic score board, field lighting, and a comprehensive irrigation system.

About the Project

LiRo-Hill provided design and construction inspection services, as well as landscape design services for the Field of Dreams project. In addition, LiRo-Hill provided structural and civil engineering services for the construction of a restroom; utility building; basketball court; two separate playgrounds; on-site parking for 128 cars; and extensive landscaping. Other site amenities include: entrance walls and gates; site lighting; drinking fountains; decorative and utilitarian fences; relocation of electrical services, from above ground to underground; sewer connections; curbing and sidewalk for exterior roads; and drainage, for both on-site and off-site locations.

Project Challenges & Solutions

Field of Dreams was built on two vacant lots located near Long Island Rail Road tracks. These vacant lots, located near well-populated neighborhoods, had the potential to serve as an athletic complex for the community. However, the proposed construction site presented LiRo’s Engineering Group professionals with significant challenges. Utilities at the site had to be relocated before construction could commence. Another hurdle was the soil’s condition at the site, as it provided drag to water run-off, thus rendering the site unsuitable for the construction of athletic fields. To solve this problem, the fields were constructed with a modified soil structure, which allowed for increased vertical drainage of rain water.

Outcome

LiRo-Hill was responsible for this project from conception to completion. The team successfully built the project on a fast-track basis, over an 18-month period, with design completed approximately one month before construction was to begin.