Political Park Games

It seems as though the discussion of developments proposed for Flushing Meadows Corona Park will continue to be a hot topic as we gear up for the 2013 City Council elections.

  While Major League Soccer has clearly stated that an idea proposed by Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) – using Citi Field for a new soccer franchise’s home base – is a “non-starter,” we cannot help but wonder why the issue would not be taken under greater consideration. MLS has already said it would consider using Citi Field’s parking and work with Major League Baseball and the Mets to avoid scheduling conflicts of home games. What would seem to be the largest impediments to a new MLS team using the Mets facilities have already been ironed out.

  Even more curious, State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights), who has come out in favor of a new soccer stadium, has called out the United States Tennis Association for taking less than one acre of parkland adjacent to the Billie Jean King Tennis Center without a plan to replace the green space. Peralta, however, does not seem to have a problem with the loss of parkland for a new soccer stadium.

  Despite the Citi Field proposal’s status as a non-starter to MLS, perhaps it would be in the best interests of the people of Queens – many of whom are concerned with the loss of parkland at Flushing Meadows Corona Park – to consider the idea.