East Hampton presents $2 million plan to redevelop Lieutenant Lee Hayes Youth Park
June 16, 2026 | East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York
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Town staff and consultants presented a multi‑phase redevelopment plan for Lieutenant Lee Hayes Youth Park at Abraham’s Path and Town Lane aimed at expanding youth programming and modernizing facilities. The plan calls for an inclusive, fenced playground and swing area; a multi‑use rink striped for inline hockey, soccer and pickleball with dasher boards; a regulation basketball court with both 10‑foot and 8‑foot rims; an expanded clubhouse with an ADA single‑use restroom and office/storage space; and a new maintenance/storage garage with access from Town Lane.
John Rooney, superintendent of recreation, and consultant Matt Jelica described how the design responds to a 2022 user survey that prioritized a larger playground, gathering areas and a turf/soccer field. The plan would retain existing parking and much of the trail network but expand a walking loop into the newly acquired neighboring parcel. The clubhouse addition is roughly 520 square feet, and the existing building will be reroofed and sided to present a cohesive façade.
Project funding was discussed in general terms: the town has a $2 million placeholder in its capital plan, and staff said they will work with grant coordinator Nicole to apply for a consolidated funding grant with a deadline at the end of July. Staff said the project team will finalize engineered plans and playground apparatus selections before issuing an RFP for construction; a firm construction schedule was not set but officials suggested construction could occur in the next calendar year depending on grant timing and permitting.
Board members generally praised the plan as a long‑overdue investment in youth recreation. Questions from the board and the public covered park hours, how pickleball courts would be scheduled or staffed, accessibility features, parking retention, tree clearing and buffering for nearby residents, and construction phasing to keep parts of the park open while work proceeds.
Next steps: staff will incorporate board and public feedback into final engineered plans, pursue grant funding, prepare an RFP for construction and return with further updates; no binding funding authorization or construction timeline was adopted at the meeting.
John Rooney, superintendent of recreation, and consultant Matt Jelica described how the design responds to a 2022 user survey that prioritized a larger playground, gathering areas and a turf/soccer field. The plan would retain existing parking and much of the trail network but expand a walking loop into the newly acquired neighboring parcel. The clubhouse addition is roughly 520 square feet, and the existing building will be reroofed and sided to present a cohesive façade.
Project funding was discussed in general terms: the town has a $2 million placeholder in its capital plan, and staff said they will work with grant coordinator Nicole to apply for a consolidated funding grant with a deadline at the end of July. Staff said the project team will finalize engineered plans and playground apparatus selections before issuing an RFP for construction; a firm construction schedule was not set but officials suggested construction could occur in the next calendar year depending on grant timing and permitting.
Board members generally praised the plan as a long‑overdue investment in youth recreation. Questions from the board and the public covered park hours, how pickleball courts would be scheduled or staffed, accessibility features, parking retention, tree clearing and buffering for nearby residents, and construction phasing to keep parts of the park open while work proceeds.
Next steps: staff will incorporate board and public feedback into final engineered plans, pursue grant funding, prepare an RFP for construction and return with further updates; no binding funding authorization or construction timeline was adopted at the meeting.
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