Park board recommends Market Street Field backstop project to city council

The Troy Board of Park Commissioners voted to recommend that city council accept a plan to replace the backstop at Market Street Field and add related site improvements, the board decided Tuesday.

The recommendation, made by a board member and seconded by another, was approved by voice vote; the board instructed that the council action be contingent on review by the city law director.

The recommendation follows a presentation by Lisa Sargent, who identified herself as representing the Troy High School baseball parents association. "This renovation . . . is not just an investment in the baseball program, but it's also an investment that will reflect the civic pride of our residents, our businesses, [and] community," Sargent said.

Sargent told the board the association plans a phase‑one project centered on a new pole‑to‑pole tension netting system and a masonry knee wall with padding on the field side, plus replacement chain‑link, painted dugouts, new gates, regrading and reseeding. She said the contractor Level MB and Construction submitted drawings and that the group has an option to add a 6‑foot walkway between dugouts if funds permit.

Sargent estimated phase 1 will represent "at least a $230,000 investment" and said the parents association has raised a substantial portion of the funds from corporate sponsors, civic organizations and charitable grants. "We are still about, 45 to $50,000 short," she said, adding the group has several pending funding efforts.

Board members praised the phased approach and the project's prominent location adjacent to downtown. One board member said the project would be discussed during the capital improvement budgeting process and that staff and members would continue to provide support.

Abby, the board clerk who handled agenda logistics, and staff members present confirmed the project's design drawings have been reviewed by staff and that Development Services/engineering staff and the law director will need to sign off before council action.

The Parks board recorded the recommendation as a voice vote. The board did not vote to allocate city funds at Tuesday's meeting; the motion forwarded the proposal to the city council for further review and potential acceptance of the work on city property, subject to the law director's review.

Sargent said the parents association has funded prior improvements at Market Street Field over the last 20 years, including a scoreboard replacement, dugouts, new fencing and bullpens. She said the association hopes construction can start immediately with a goal of completion before the end of the year so the field is ready for play next spring.

Next steps identified at the meeting: staff will confirm final drawings with engineering staff, the law director will review any required agreements, and the board's recommendation will be placed on a future city council agenda for consideration.