Memorial Field track and skate park to open in Mount Vernon

Walkers, joggers and skaters will get access to Mount Vernon’s iconic Memorial Field for the first time in a decade Saturday when the rebuilt recreation spot is opened to the public.

The centerpiece of the $40 million project is the athletic field and 3,900-seat grandstand that opened on a limited basis for Mount Vernon High School football in the fall. But the rest of the park was not yet ready for everyday use.

That changes Saturday morning at 8 a.m. when the city opens the eight-lane track and skate park.

Mount Vernon and Yonkers Force in the first football game at the new Memorial Field in Mount Vernon Sept. 24, 2022. Mount Vernon won the game 32-24.

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The track will be open daily from 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., except during special events. The skate park will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Skating will not be allowed during bad weather.

The city has also contracted with Rugby New York Ironworkers, who will play their Major League Rugby home games at the Stadium at Memorial Field, starting Feb. 26. The team will conduct a rugby clinic for children ages 6 to 17 at the field on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Memorial Field sat vacant for more than a decade as county and state funds were squandered, plans changed and debris was allowed to be dumped there. It was rebuilt over the past three years under an agreement with Westchester County that will restore the park to city control.

There was no announcement about when tennis courts will open in the northwest corner of Memorial Field.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mount Vernon opening track and skate park at Memorial Field