A lot of you wonder what ever happened to our very first beloved football field on Vesey St., especially with the tragic events of September 11th. Well, I recently took a stroll downtown through memory lane to see what became of all of it.
Ever since the attacks I feared that the field suffered a horrific fate similar to that of the WTC towers. As I navigated my way around police barricades and through Merrill Lynch at 250 Vesey I felt somewhat relieved since the building seemed damage free. I presumed that our old field would be in a similar, good condition. However, nothing could prepare me for the horrific sight I was about to witness with my own eyes.
This is what now stands on our old football field. Just under the horizon you can see the tons of brick and mortar that sit idle on our once beautiful field. Less perceptible in the foreground is a large sign which reads: "Future Site of the Irish Hunger Memorial." This must be some sick and twisted joke perpetrated by the parks department. Apparently they think a few tons of crap on a once beautiful grass field is a tribute to hungry Irish people. Maybe they should have built a McDonald's there?
Closer look at the crap they heaped on our football field. Is it a landfill in disguise?
Look at this poor guy working under the crap. He must be thinking, "Man I wish I was playing football here instead of poking the underside of this heap."
Stuyvesant Field
Downtrodden and filled with despair, I walked towards our other beautiful football field - the Stuyvesant High School fields. As I turned the corner I almost had a second heart attack, until I realized this field was now serving a much nobler purpose than being an Irish Hunger Memorial.
Firetrucks sit in the outfield. Construction vehicles are everywhere.
There is no grass, only mud. This place is now one giant parking lot for the WTC cleanup effort.
They put a big box on the Stuy basketball court. Unfortunately this is not for housing indoor courts.
Inspired by my stroll through memory lane, I've set up a benefit fund. Please send all donations to:
Stop the Irish Hunger Memorial and at least have the Dignity to Turn it into a Parking Lot Fund
c/o The Foundation for Preserving Dignity for Manhattan Football Fields
1000 Broadway
New York, NY 10001