FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2013
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash, Ryan Mulholland, & Sam Marksheid | (516) 869-7794
Town Honors Local Legend Jim Brown in MVP Re-Opening Ceremony
Manhasset, NY– Hundreds of residents, friends, and admirers joined Supervisor Jon Kaiman, members of the North Hempstead Town Board, and State and County elected officials recently at the unveiling of the newly-reconstructed Manhasset Valley Park, where they paid tribute to former resident and football legend, Jim Brown.
Brown, a graduate of Manhasset High School, was greeted with raucous applause as he addressed the crowd. He was visibly emotional as he expressed his appreciation for the opportunities the community provided for him. Two of the brand-new fields were named in his honor.
“The great thing about this area is the people and the fact that they get the kids involved,” said Brown. “If it wasn’t that way I wouldn’t be here. I’ve been given all kinds of accolades, but this means more to me than any award I’ve ever won throughout my career.”
Thanking the assembly of elected officials (including Supervisor Kaiman, Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Legislators Judi Bosworth, Wayne Wink, Jr. and Town Councilwomen Lee Seeman and Anna Kaplan), Brown said, “I thank all of you here today that played a role in making this happen.”
Supervisor Kaiman thanked all the local individuals and organizations who partnered with the Town to help finance the facility. “It’s a pleasure to have all of you here to celebrate this occasion,” he said.
The newly-reconstructed Manhasset Valley Park now includes two brand-new artificial turf fields, one of which will be used for baseball. The other, a multi-purpose field, will be used for soccer and lacrosse. This latter field was dedicated to Brown and a display bearing his day was erected on the grounds of the park.
Land Tech, the company headed by former New York Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons, was the contractor on project.
Supervisor Kaiman noted that plans are in the works to outfit the park with other features including a playground, concession and lights to facilitate nighttime games. “It’s a work in progress,” he said.
Councilwoman Anna Kaplan said it was very inspirational to see the children’s enthusiastic welcome to “our very own sports legend.”
Supervisor Jon Kaiman greets football legend Jim Brown at the Manhasset Valley Park re-opening ceremony.
Football legend Jim Brown speaks to the crowd gathered for the Manhasset Valley Park re-opening ceremony.