My name is Carlie DePeiza, I am currently a junior at Garden City High School and a member of the girls’ varsity volleyball team and have been playing private club volleyball since I was 11.
Volleyball has taught me dedication, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. It has given me amazing friendships and opportunities to grow not only as an athlete but also as a person. I have spent countless hours practicing, competing, and traveling to play a sport that I truly love.
Today, I am here to advocate for young athletes, future volleyball players, and the Garden City community.I am asking the Village to consider reinstating the outdoor volleyball courts that once existed at Hemlock Park and Grove Park.
Garden City previously had outdoor volleyball courts at both parks. Today they are just open blacktop with no nets. I have confirmed they once existed and they are still even listed under the Garden City Municipal webpage, even though they are no longer on the Recreational website.
Volleyball continues to grow in popularity. In the 2025–26 school year, girls’ high school volleyball participation surpassed half a million for the first time. We are seeing that growth right here in Garden City.
In November 2025, our girls varsity team made history by winning the Long Island Championship, and advancing to the New York State Class AA Championship final, where we came in 2nd with a 20-1 record. This year we reached the semifinals. How can Garden City have a volleyball program talented enough to make it to the State Championship, yet not have one dedicated public volleyball court for residents?
I know firsthand how important it is to have places to practice outside school and club schedules. Not every child can afford club volleyball or travel to practices. Not every child has a mom who will drive them to towns near and far finding courts to practice on and sometimes waiting there hours for the court to open up because of the lack of courts in Garden City and all of Nassau county.
I am not asking the Village to take away basketball courts, tennis courts, or the over abundance of pickle ball courts that have been made in the recent years.
I am asking you to consider using existing, underutilized blacktop areas within Hemlock Park and Grove Park that historically were volleyball courts and bring them back.
I would love to see kids ride their bikes to the parks, and meet friends to get together and play just as easily they could play basketball or tennis. Maybe some of those kids become the next Garden City varsity players or even next Huskers at Nebraska. Or maybe they’ll simply just discover a sport they love.
I am not asking Garden City to create something entirely new. I am simply asking for the opportunity to bring back something our community once had.
I respectfully ask the Board of Trustees and Recreation Commission to consider reinstating volleyball courts at both Hemlock Park and Grove Park.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Carlie DePeiza
Middle Blocker/Right Side- Class of 2028
Garden City High School — Varsity Volleyball Player