On Saturday the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation marked the official reopening of Emile Griffith Ball Park with the exciting start of the 2025 Al McHen Little League season.
The ceremony, which honored League President Neville Amey, was attended by local leaders, including Senate President Milton E. Potter, Senator Carla Joseph, Senator at Large Angel Bolques Jr., Government House Representative Kevin Rodriguez, and DSPR Acting Commissioner Vincent Roberts. The event also brought together the Al McHen Little League community, including coaches, board members, players, parents, and fans.
The recreational facility received extensive repairs and upgrades over the last year to not just restore but enhance services and bring it up to code. It is recognized by the community as the premiere baseball venue on the island of St. Thomas and has been known to host many tournaments, leagues, and events. “If you saw this park two weeks ago you wouldn’t think it would be ready for opening day today. The repairs were done, and they looked great but there were maintenance concerns that needed to be addressed. For that I have to recognize the hard-working men and women at DSPR, who worked diligently to restore the field, cutting the grass, laying and restructuring the field, thus, making it playable for our youth,” said DSPR Acting Commissioner, Vincent Roberts.
The restoration of the Emile Griffith Recreational Facility was funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. The $1.3 million project included new perimeter and batting cage fencing, a modern scoreboard, ADA-compliant bleachers and restrooms, and additional office space that sits above the concession. These upgrades not only meet safety standards but also improve the park’s overall appearance and functionality, making it a much more enjoyable space for the community.
The Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation would like to acknowledge Four Star Construction for their efforts in renovating the facility. Additional thanks to FEMA and ODR for their dedication to ensuring the completion of this and all DSPR projects territory-wide.
For information on facilities and hours of operation, please call the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation at (340)774-0255.
