Moffo Rink Seeks Approval for Additional Lighting

Moffo Rink, the somewhat secret hockey hot-spot situated between the two bridges (Brooklyn and Manhattan) on Cherry Street, is currently due for a facility upgrade. Executive Director of the Urban Hockey Association Bob Weyersberg wishes to gain the green light from Community Board 3 this Thursday for the addition of portable on-premises lighting. But for good cause – the 2nd annual Youth Street Hockey Program, which is a joint-venture with the New York Rangers. adult rec league Moffo Hockey.

Since games will be conducted during after-work hours through the winter, lighting is definitely a necessity.  Below is the appeal to residents of Knickerbocker Village and beyond.

Our Organization [Urban Hockey Association] has been hosting recreational street hockey in Lower Manhattan since 2000.  In that time we have provided a healthy, wholesome, fun, fitness-promoting activity for hundreds of New Yorkers.  And this year we begin working with the Parks Department and the New York Rangers organization to provide volunteer coaches for a free city-wide youth street hockey program at 21 different locations in all five boroughs.

This year we hope to be able to provide street hockey games at Moffo Rink during after-work hours over the winter, as we have done during the summer months.  In order to do this, we need to use lighting.

The Park Department and Community Bard want to be assured that the lights will not pose a problem to the residents of the nearby Knickerbocker Village.

We have already been in touch with dozens of residents of Knickerbocker Village as well as Vincent Callagy, the General Manger of the Knickerbocker Village, who requested that if we have night games that we follow these guidelines, to which we gladly agreed:

1. The lights are off by 10:00 pm.
2. The lights are only on when there are games, and wouldn’t attract loitering.
3. The lights are not pointed towards Knickerbocker Village.
4. Games supervised.
5. Towers lowered and locked when not in use.

Moffo Rink, which is part of Tanahey Playground, sometimes hosts BTSH games, and is also home to various weekend pickup scrimmages. One such game has been ongoing for over 15 years, but once played in the East Village.