Goldsmith-Schiffman Field Becomes Permanent Addition to City’s Recreational Properties
Published on September 5, 2014
Margaret Ann Goldsmith and her family are making it official and will formally donate the historic Goldsmith-Schiffman Field at 320 Beirne Avenue to the City of Huntsville next week. The Huntsville City Council is expected to approve the donation and accept the deed at the September 11 council meeting.
The Goldsmith Schiffman family has generously allowed the city to use the nearly 2-acre property for recreation and educational purposes since 1934. The Huntsville City School system used the field for athletic games until 2012, when the facility became too small for the growing middle and high school programs. Last year, the City of Huntsville Parks & Recreation Department received permission from the Goldsmith family to use the field for recreational play, and the move has been well-received by participants and neighbors living in the Rison-Dallas Mill area. This permanent donation to the City will ensure the field’s public use for years to come.
“There are nearly 80 years of warm memories on this field for thousands of Huntsville residents,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “Thanks to Margaret Ann and the generosity of her family, this treasured field will bring many more years of enjoyment to our community.”
Parks & Recreation Director Greg Patterson says Goldsmith-Schiffman Field is the perfect size and scale for recreational leagues to play lacrosse, football and soccer. There are numerous adult teams, too, that will be able to play kickball and other sports.
“We are excited and honored that this field will continue its life as a recreational outlet for our citizens,” said Patterson. “There are so many teams and leagues looking for places to practice and families looking for places to play, this will be an enormous asset.”
Patterson says the City will budget for future improvements to the facilities on the property, including restroom upgrades.
While the City intends for the field to remain as a recreational outlet, the donation will legally permit the City of Huntsville to sell the property in the future with the stipulation that proceeds from the sale go to the Goldsmith Wildlife Sanctuary.