The town of Ramapo, N.Y., has been acquiring land in the nearby Torne Valley in an effort to slow development, preserve the natural landscape, protect groundwater and enhance recreation opportunities. Enter the Joseph T. St. Lawrence Community, Health and Sports Center, located on two parcels of land bisected by the Ramapo River. The west parcel will remain a passive park with little development planned, while the east parcel includes buildings, fields and other recreation areas. The two pieces of land are linked via a pedestrian bridge.
This project consists of a multiuse athletic complex with a synthetic-turf field, a practice field, a community center, a comfort station/press box, parking for 250 vehicles, pedestrian walks, sports and security lighting, grandstand seating for approximately 1,300 spectators, picnic areas and an inflatable air structure that allows for winter use. Indigenous plants, which require less water and are less invasive than non-native species, are watered via an underground sprinkler system, which collects stormwater from the community center?s roof and stores it in an underground tank.
The two-story community center contains approximately 30,000 square feet of recreation space (including a three-court gymnasium, two racquetball courts, fitness and aerobics areas and an elevated track) and overlooks the main playing field.
Broomfield Events Center
