Located in Plainview NY, the Soccer Park is a leased 22-acre property developed and maintained by the LIJSL since 1997. The complex serves as the epicenter of the Long Island Soccer market place. The Soccer Park hosts over 2,000 LIJSL games per year and over 200,000 people pass through the park's gates each year.
PLEASE NOTE:
- NO DOGS
- NO SMOKING OF ANY KIND
- NO ALCOHOL OF ANY KIND
- REFRAIN FROM USING FOUL LANGUAGE OF ANY KIND
- PARK IN ASSIGNED AREAS ONLY
History
A home playing facility for the Long Island Junior Soccer League was part of the vision of former league president Peter Collins. After putting together a search committee to find available tracts of land with the state, county, and local townships, league ambassador George Hoffman negotiated a deal for the current location in Plainview, which was a United States Government veteran's facility that was no longer in operation. The 1994 World Cup left the USSF with money to be dedicated to promoting soccer and constructing new playing facilities. The Long Island Soccer Park Corporation was set up and received a grant. The ENYYSA also provided funding.
Kevin Reardon and Mitch Paley were designated as the trustees of the LISP, and enlisted friends of the league like Manny Matos, who owned construction companies to help clear the land, prepare the soil, and create fields. By 1996, two major size fields were built, along with small fields for the special children's program. Two years later, the park was expanded to five full sized fields, and in 2001, Mike Clarke of the LIJSL took over management of the park, including maintenance, operations, and coordination of all events. Soon, an administrative office, concession stand, and electrical service were added to the property, and the park grew to seven full playing fields covering approximately 17 acres.
In recognition of the persistence and hard work of Collins, new LIJSL President Addie Mattei-Iaia asked the LIJSL Board of Directors to rename the complex Peter C. Collins Park in 2008.
The park continues to serve the growing needs of many LIJSL programs. It is truly a monument to one man's dream and plays a vital role in fulfilling the mission of the league.
Directions
The Soccer Park is located at the Old Country Road boundary of the Plainview Business Complex, the address is 1425 Old Country Road. Exit the LIE at Round Swamp Road (south) and continue to intersection of Old Country Road. Bear right onto Old Country Road. Go to 2nd light and turn into the Plainview Office complex entry road. At top of road there is parking on the right and left.