Area's First Cricket Field Opens in Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- Western New York's first official municipal cricket grounds opened for play Saturday afternoon.  

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster kicked off the day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grounds on Girard Avenue at 61st Street. He then played a bit of the game himself.  

He said the sport has been gaining popularity in the area for a while, but area players had no location to call their own. The grounds will be used to field a Buffalo-Niagara cricket team, which will play in a Western New York cricket league.

"We were approached by the Buffalo Niagara Cricket Club," he said. "They were looking for a place for both league play and practices.  So we started asking around trying to figure out which of the fields and city parks weren't being used."

Dyster said the city tries to accommodate the sporting tastes of all residents. Bocce courts are in Hyde Park, and a skate park is being built in the city later this year.