Flynn Memorial Ballpark Renovations Complete; Town Holds Ceremony

KINGS PARK, NY — Play ball! The renovations to Daniel J Flynn Memorial Ballpark in Kings Park are complete. The Town of Smithtown celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon at the field, at 29 Old Commack Road.

Renovations to the ballpark began in late fall 2019. The state-of-the-art complex is now complete with four resurfaced synthetic turf fields with a built-in drainage system underneath. The ball fields are equipped with warning tracks, pitchers’ warm-up mounds, and LED energy-efficient sports lighting.

A two-story air-conditioned building in the center of the park houses a concession stand, pro shop and handicap-accessible bathrooms on the first floor. A press box is stationed on the second floor.

Flynn Memorial Park was constructed in 1979 and was recently renovated for the first time.

Daniel J. Flynn was a member of the 725th Military Police Battalion, C Company. He paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War on May 25, 1968, when he volunteered to take a friend's place on an escort assignment, according to the Town of Smithtown. Flynn was killed in action — just 20 days after he arrived to Vietnam.

"Danny" Flynn excelled as a student and athlete at Kings Park High School, where he graduated in 1965. He was an integral member of the school's varsity baseball team. Before he enlisted, Flynn played semi-professional baseball on the grounds of Kings Park State Hospital and received tryout offers from the St. Louis Cardinals. Flynn instead enlisted in the United States Army and serve his country in Vietnam.