Newly paved parking lot opens at Granite Knolls

A newly paved and lined parking lot with 184 spaces is now open at Tom Diana Park at the Granite Knolls Recreation and Sports Complex, providing additional parking at a facility that regularly sees heavy use during tournaments and weekends.

Supervisor Ed Lachterman said in a press release issued by the town’s public relations firm that the project was completed on schedule.

“We had a 16-day project scheduled, and last night, 16 days later, we opened up Granite Knolls parking lot,” he said on Tuesday.

The project involved the Town Board, Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department. Cirone Construction was the main contractor, while Pat Paving handled the paving work.

Officials said the design incorporates both porous and impervious surfaces. The pervious parking areas allow water to drain through, while the impervious driveway ring provides durability and structure.

“Parking has always been very difficult because of the high usage of this facility,” Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito said, adding that he hopes the increase in sports will “avoid potential flooding.”

The Parks Department also is constructing two new volleyball courts using in-house staff to reduce costs, with completion expected by October. The town also is planning a sensory garden and pathway, while a separate project funded in part by a $100,000 Crest grant will bring a new playground to Sparkle Lake by the end of the year.