By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — The Parks Department killed its contract with the Sutton East Tennis Club to maintain a year-round tennis bubble over the Queensboro Oval that would have pushed out summertime softball players.
The decision returns use of the Oval to the current arrangement, which allows the club to use the space during the winter months and softball players to use the field when the bubble is taken down during the summer.
Residents have been protesting against the deal since January, and Community Board 8 passed a resolution opposing it in March.
"We do take seriously what community boards say," said Manhattan Parks Commissioner William Castro at CB 8’s Parks Committee meeting Thursday.
After the board voted against the city’s arrangement with the tennis club, Sutton East owner Tony Skolnick said he believed he had an enforceable contract with the Parks Department.
Recreational softball players who had fought against the bubble plan received their permits to play last week before the decision was announced by the Parks Department on Thursday.
"We're delighted to confirm that tennis players will continue to enjoy their winter tennis at Queensboro Oval and ball players will continue to enjoy their summer games," said Vickie Karp, spokesperson for the Parks Department in a statement.
The summer softball season opens on Tues., May 4, at 7 p.m.
