Manhattanville University in Purchase is seeking approvals from the Town of Harrison for changes to the existing baseball field and associated athletic facilities on its campus at 2900 Purchase St.
The plans call for the natural grass baseball field to be converted to a synthetic turf field, including a permanent pitcher’s mound, warning track and infield specialty turf treatments, shock pad, and subsurface drainage system. Associated site improvements include new field lighting, spectator seating and grandstand bleachers with a press box, recessed dugouts, two bullpens, two batting cages, fencing and gates. Work also would be done to enhance pedestrian circulation and add accessible routes, add custom windscreens and padding, and improve grading, drainage, utilities, and stormwater management.
The project also includes field striping for lacrosse, soccer, and flag football. Additionally, the project includes design upgrades to the existing maintenance access drive behind the outfield fence to address poor drainage and standing water conditions.
The new field lighting will enable the university to extend play and practice at the facility into the evening hours.
Manhattanville will need zoning variances related to the proposed fencing and protective netting, press box, and outfield retaining wall. Approval for the variances will be sought from Harrison’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Manhattanville hopes to begin work this summer and have the project completed in time for the spring 2027 baseball season.
Two existing wetland areas and their 100-feet buffers are not located within the area where the work will take place. Manhattanville said that the wetlands will remain as is and will not be impacted as a result of the project’s design and construction.
“Manhattanville continues to make strategic and student-focused investments in our campus that strengthen our student experience,” said University President Frank Sánchez. “This project reflects our commitment to supporting our student-athletes with facilities that match their talent and ambition, while also creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
In a message to the Manhattanville Community, Sánchez described what is to be created as “a flexible venue that will allow us to support an increased range of external rentals, creating new revenue streams that contribute to the university’s financial health. The addition of Women’s Flag Football will further expand opportunities and serve as a catalyst for enrollment growth.”
He said that the new field would also support growth of what he called the “revitalized intramural program by providing a high-quality, flexible space that can accommodate expanded participation and a wider range of recreational offerings.”
The university said that it would be a multi-million dollar project but its application to Harrison did not show an estimated final cost. The university said the cost would be paid by philanthropic support and a targeted short-term loan from the university’s endowment.
“This initiative represents a continuation of our long-term capital investment strategy to modernize spaces and address deferred maintenance, building on significant recent renovations to Spellman Hall, the Library, and Brownson Hall. Together, these efforts reflect a sustained commitment to strengthening our physical campus,” Sánchez said in his message to the Manhattanville Community.
