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City orders return of Herbert Williams Park key, approves $9,800 in repairs after coach's plea
Summary
After a youth coach asked for access to Herbert Williams Park and raised safety concerns, city officials said the park will be repaired, required the return of an unauthorized key and instructed organizers to obtain insurance and a special-event permit before using the facility.
City officials told a long-time youth coach that the key to Herbert Williams Park must be returned and that access will be provided under standard city procedures once repairs and administrative requirements are in place.
Coach Brian Plowden appealed to the council for assistance and said he wanted to host coed tournaments and resume regular practices at Herbert Williams Park.
Plowden: “I want to give a coed tournament,” Plowden said, describing decades of volunteer coaching and travel teams he has led.
The mayor responded that the city will repair the park, asked for the key to be returned because nonemployees should not hold a facility key, and said teams that are not part of the city’s recreational provider must provide liability insurance and file a special-event permit before hosting tournaments.
The council approved a $9,800 quote from Dakey's Home Improvement LLC to pour concrete for bleachers behind home plate and to repair and replace metal roofing and trim at Herbert Williams Park. The motion carried.
Staff said the city will carry out repairs and update the park’s locks so access is controlled; once construction is complete and liability documentation is provided, groups may request scheduled practice times or event permits.
Public-works staff and the mayor offered to meet with Plowden to help him comply with permitting and insurance requirements and to coordinate use once the facility work is finished.
