City staff updated the Moab City Council on Oct. 14 about a request and ongoing process to redesign and possibly rename the Center Street ball fields.

Patrick (city staff) described an RFP issued Sept. 22 for site analysis, master planning and permit-ready construction documents for a comprehensive redesign of the Center Street athletic complex. The RFP drew a mandatory preproposal meeting attended by representatives of more than 20 firms, and staff said they expect consultant proposals due Nov. 13 with a multi-month scoping and community-engagement process planned through December 2026.

Staff said the effort responds to priorities identified in the city’s parks master plan and will address aging utilities, lighting improvements that comply with dark-sky standards, landscape and civic-space components and opportunities to re-evaluate program use (for example, pickleball courts versus other amenities). Patrick and Michael (staff) described a community outreach window expected in early 2026, subject to consultant selection and budget timing.

Separately, staff reported receipt of a family request to rename the fields for the late Lehi Richardson. Staff recommended creating a facility-naming policy to guide evaluation of that and future requests. Councilmember Toni asked staff to draft a naming policy for council review in early 2026; staff agreed.

Why it matters: The fields are a major community recreation asset. The redesign seeks to modernize infrastructure while balancing program needs and neighborhood impacts.

Next steps: Staff will return with the consultant award and a community-engagement plan; staff will draft a facility-naming policy and bring it back for council review in the January–March time frame.