For the last 20 years, Frisch Field in Bedford Park has not been fully maintained. The baseball diamond, backstop, dugouts, and bleachers still stand, but the field has draining issues. Baseball is the only sport the field accommodates for now.

But Councilman Andrew Cohen, who represents a large portion of Bedford Park, looks to pump $5 million towards revamping the field.

A year ago, Cohen approached the city Parks Department to tell them that he, along with community leaders, “think that Frisch Field is severely underutilized.”

The two original plans the Parks Department developed were for either an $8 million renovation, or a $12 million renovation. These two plans would replace the current bleachers and add lighting to the field, but that’s not what the community wants. Cohen thought these costs to be exorbitant for such a small field, and thinks less money could be used more wisely.

Cohen explained, “We want a field that drains properly, that’s usable for multipurpose.” Cohen told the Parks Department that if they come up with a $5 million plan, he will somehow find the money, possibly by partnering with another local lawmaker.

Two decades ago, Fernando Ferrer, Bronx Borough President at the time, allocated $234,000 for renovations.

The field, located on Webster Avenue near Mosholu Parkway South, is named after Giants baseball player and Fordham University student, Frank “The Fordham Flash” Frisch. Little League teams, who have permits, sometimes play ball on the field, but other than that, it is often unoccupied.

In the past, community groups have been upset by the field’s lack of purpose. In May of 2018, Mosholu Preservation Corporation held a wellness fair at the park, advocating to keep the space and use it for the community.