It’s been almost two decades since the last major work has been done at Delano-Hitch Stadium.
So, it’s overdue and there was a lot of work to be done and if you drove by the stadium in recent months, you would have seen most of the stadium infield torn up.
Not anymore.
Ward 3 Councilman Robert Sklarz said if you were to drive by the field now, you will see the stadium infield has a newly sodded infield and the outfield and neighboring soccer fields have been hydroseeded. However, most of the work that was done, most people would never see as workers replaced the stadium’s sprinkler system and improved the drainage system, helping the field dry faster after it rains.
The sprinklers and drainage have also been improved on the field that borders Robinson Avenue.

While many schools are converting their fields to an artificial surface to lower maintenance costs, that’s not happening at Delano-Hitch. The fields are remaining natural grass.
“While natural grass is my personal preference, it is my understanding that the installation of artificial turf is being explored for some future date,” Sklarz said.
Most of the work has been done by the city’s Department of Public Works staff, which did most of the prep work and then a firm was brought in to do the hydroseeding.
“The baseball diamond and grandstand are what people focus on when they think of Delano-Hitch,” Sklarz said.
The site, which rests on land donated by Annie Delano-Hitch, the aunt of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was always to be purposed for recreation.
“It has a long history of local baseball teams using the site,” Sklarz said. “There are stories that Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played at Delano-Hitch during their barnstorming days. Because of its long history, the memories of those who played there, and the promise it holds for the future, Delano-Hitch is clearly a ‘Jewel of the City’.”
But the work is not limited to just the field and the stadium.
Security lights and cameras have been ordered with installation planned before the end of the year and the Recreation parking lot paving is slated for 2021. Sklarz said the city also is seeking funding for an exercise park to be located next to the pool. New bleachers have been purchased for soccer and football and playground equipment is being purchased for Delano-Hitch and other city parks.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the DPW’s ability to do a lot of the work saved the city a considerable amount of money, and cost a total of about $400,000, Sklarz said.
Teams will be able to play on the field, starting in the 2021 season.
“It’s important to note that an investment in Delano-Hitch is an investment in the neighborhood,” Sklarz said.