Smithtown’s Fields of Dreams Becomes Reality

Smithtown’s Fields of Dreams Becomes Reality

The Town of Smithtown hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Daniel J. Flynn Memorial Park in Commack on April 23. Elected officials, town employees, veterans and family members assembled to mark the rededication of the park which first opened in 1979. It is a state-of-the-art ballpark.

Daniel J Flynn, a Kings Park hero, lived only twenty years. He graduated from Kings Park HS in 1965. He had a passion for baseball and a love of country. A talented baseball player, he was invited to try-out for the St. Louis Cardinals. Flynn, instead of pursuing a career in baseball, enlisted in the U.S. Army.  Daniel Flynn was sent to Vietnam and was killed in action on May 25th, 1968. Twenty days after his arrival. 

In 1979 the park located on Old Commack Rd. was dedicated in Flynn’s honor. The park, once state-of-the-art, aged and was not up to the standards of many other ball parks in Suffolk County. As other towns upgraded their fields leagues and playoff games went elsewhere. In 2018 Smithtown’s Town Board decided to dedicate $4.5 million to remediate the park. That figure grew almost $3 million by the time of the rededication ceremony.

The park is truly a field of dreams or four fields of dreams. The fields, Indian Head, Lawrence, Old Dock and Pulaski, have lights for nighttime play that function with a smartphone app. There are individual scoreboards, infield and outfield turf (upgraded for a life expectancy of 15 years) special drainage, four broadcasting positions are housed in the concession building. A playground is scheduled to be installed and a parking field renovation is still in the works.

According to Smithtown Recreation director Thomas J. McCaffery, all little league teams throughout the township are eligible to play on the fields and have been scheduled to do so in this 2021 season. McCaffery said the local 50+ Mens League as well as fast pitch teams are anxious to get the go ahead to play at the park.

The town is expecting to  generate revenue by hosting regional tournaments and selling advertising on field fences.  Organizations interested in using the fields can apply to the recreation department for a permit.

Daniel J. Flynn Memorial Park is a wonderful tribute to the all the men and women who served and to thoseTown Clerk Vincent Puleo, Councilwoman Lynne Nowick, Town Supervisor Edward Wehrheim, Deputy Supervisor Thomas McCarthy, Councilman Thomas Lohmann, Smithtown Parks Director Joseph Ar who died in Vietnam. Recognition must go to Supervisor Wehrheim, town council members as well as Smithtown Parks supervisor Joe Arrico and Councilman Thomas Lohmann for turning Smithtown’s field of dreams into a reality.