Father pens letter to the city over dangerous conditions at Joseph Yancey Track and Field
Antonio Quinones penned a letter to the city begging for fixes to the track, on behalf of his daughter, along with other parents and community members.
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Parents, athletes and neighbors are growing more frustrated over the conditions at Joseph Yancey Track and Field.
Cracks, holes, puddles and gravel plague the asphalt track of the beloved part of Macombs Dam Park, directly across from Yankee Stadium.
“It’s slippery," says Javier Perez, a runner who uses the track.
"It’s so messed up," said Pedro Almonte, a frequent walker.
Antonio Quinones decided to take matters into his own hands. Penning a letter to the city begging for fixes to the park, on behalf of his daughter, along with other parents and community members.
"There are people in the community who may feel shy, who may feel unheard," Quinones said. “I want to see others within the running community have this opportunity to come out here and just enjoy the track for what is supposed to be an actual track."
Runners and walkers have long turned to the track and field as a haven for exercise.
“Now, especially when the [Yankees] games are on, you feel safe,” Almonte said.
Many are now hoping that the conditions can match that feeling of safety.
"Never heard anything bad happen, you never see anybody hanging out, it’s pretty good." Thomas Feliciano said. "So for that reason alone, they should just give it some extra attention."
A spokesperson from the city's Parks Department told News 12, "NYC Parks patches the track and field as needed throughout the year in addition to performing routine cleaning and maintenance of this section of Macombs Dam Park, which is one of the most heavily used athletic areas in the Parks system. NYC Parks is also in the process of securing full funding in order to pursue a comprehensive reconstruction of the field."
