Randall’s Island soccer fields restored after being used as migrant tent city, sparking outrage at huge price tag

The Randall’s Island soccer fields that hosted a massive tent city at the height of the migrant crisis have finally been restored back to their original state — at a cost to taxpayers of $5 million, The Post has learned.

The artificial turf at four of the battered pitches had to be relaid after the facility — which housed some 25,000 migrants during 8-months of the crisis — left them in no state for play.

The huge cost to just get the island sports complex back in shape to use, drew outrage over the consequences of the Big Apple’s lax immigrant “sanctuary” policy.

“It’s a shame. This is the consequence of taking in illegal migrants. We wouldn’t have had to spend $5 million to repair Randall’s Island if we didn’t take all these migrants in,” said Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Queens).

The migrant crisis has cost taxpayers an estimated $8.64 billion from July 1, 2022 through October of this year, a three year tally that includes city, state federal funds, Mayor Eric Adams’ office said.

That included the $5 million to restore the fields, which included the new synthetic surface and new goals.

The Randall’s Island Park Alliance and the city Parks Department also added new grassy picnic area adjacent to the fields.

These fields, located at the base of the 103rd Street Footbridge, serve the recreational needs of New Yorkers citywide, including neighboring East Harlem and South Bronx residents.

A video was provided to The Post showing the transformation from a migrants’ encampment back to fields with kids playing soccer again.

The 3,000-bed migrant tent city was erected in August 2023 as the city grappled with an unprecedented influx of asylum seekers from the US border with Mexico.

It was taken down in February after providing temporary shelter to more than 25,500 asylum seekers.

The mega-shelter became a source of contention as migrants who were kicked out after hitting the stay limit began creating their own encampments around it — trashing and shredding the fields.

And the facility was plagued with problems from the start, including bouts of violence among the occupants and damage to the fields.

Residents chafed that precious parkland was taken away.

Adams said Randall’s Island was needed temporarily to address the dire migrant crisis.

“Today marks yet another milestone in demonstrating the immense progress we have achieved in turning the corner on an unprecedented humanitarian effort, and delivering this vital public space back to the community,” Adams said in a statement.

“Randall’s Island Park is a premier destination for sports and recreation, and the restoration of these highly used fields marks the return of this important city resource. I’m proud to reopen these restored soccer fields with $5 million in improvements for all to use,” added the mayor.

The city serviced more than 240,200 migrants over a three-year period and 25,000 of them — more than 10% percent — were sheltered on Randall’s Island.

“Thanks to the partnership of NYC Parks and the Randall’s Island Park Alliance, we are bringing this park back to life, allowing it to serve a new role where children and families can gather, play, and create lasting memories,” Adams.

The restoration of soccer fields 82, 83, 84, and 85 was completed by William A. Gross Associates under a NYC Parks contract.

As part of the extensive work, crews removed the old turf and repaired worn pathways and fixed fences.

Adams touted his administration’s work in managing through the migrant crisis.

More than 90% of eligible adults in the city’s care have applied for work authorization, he said.

The city also bought 67,200 tickets to help migrants reach their preferred destinations and help reduce long-term costs for taxpayers.

City staffers also conducted nearly one million case management sessions with migrants, helping them identify ways to be self-sufficient and transition out of the shelter system in addition to imposing 30- and 60-day shelter time limits.

The city’s Asylum Application Help Center helped complete more than 140,000 applications for work authorization, temporary protected status, and asylum.

As a result, the mayor said, 208,200 migrants who requested services from the city in the last three years have more toward self-sufficiency and helped reduce costs by billions of dollars.