Gaelic games to get a new, permanent home in New York

The New York Minor Board (NYMB) announced on December 4 a major milestone in the development of Gaelic games in the US with the commencement of the Redmond Park Redevelopment Project in Yonkers, New York.

NYMB says the "ambitious initiative" was granted the green light after receiving a signed License Agreement with the City of Yonkers, which will allow NYMB to develop a state-of-the-art facility for the advancement of Gaelic games in Yonkers.

The reimagined Redmond Park will feature a full-sized Gaelic field, "akin to the hallowed grounds of Croke Park, allowing athletes to compete and train on a pitch that honors the dimensions of Ireland's most storied arena."

Complementing the main field will be two fully lit practice fields, ensuring that games can continue throughout the evening and increase accessibility for all age groups.

In addition to the playing fields, the development includes ample parking facilities, ensuring ease of access for families, players, and visitors.

With these enhancements, Redmond Park is set to become a hub of Gaelic games in the region, NYMB says.

"The NYMB is delighted to reach this agreement, which is a significant step forward in our mission to provide top-class facilities for the growth and development of Gaelic games here in New York," NYMB Chairperson Danny Browne said.

"This project will deliver a safe and vibrant environment for our children to play and appreciate the games that are an integral part of our Irish heritage."

Browne said the redevelopment "is a game-changer for the NYMB and the community at large.

"It will allow us to host local events, and tournaments, and unite generations of players and fans alike.

"We are developing something that will stand the test of time and leave a lasting legacy for Gaelic games in New York."

The 35-acre Redmond Park is located on Cook Ave in Yonkers, not far from 'Little Ireland' in Woodlawn in The Bronx and along McLean Avenue in Yonkers. It's less than six miles away from Gaelic Park in The Bronx, which New York GAA has been redeveloping for some time.

The park is named after Irish American Yonkers native Hugh Francis Redmond, a World War II paratrooper who later worked for the CIA in its Special Activities Division.

NYMB shared this drone footage of Redmond Park in October:

NYMB said that ahead of launching the Redevelopment Project to the wider community, it has already spent $500,000 in both construction and soft costs. 

The total cost of the Redmond Park Redevelopment Project is just over $3.5 million. Donations, all of which will be memorialized, to support the project can be made online, by check, or through a pledge. NYMB is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, meaning your contributions are tax-deductible.

NYMB says: "The Redmond Park project is not just about sports; it's a commitment to creating a safe haven for our youth.

"The updated facilities will provide an environment where children can develop their skills, build friendships, and stay active in a secure setting."

The Redmond Park Redevelopment Project timeline has three phases which began in November and continue through April 2027.