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Residents urge city to invest in youth sports fields, citing lack of soccer fields and accessibility problems
Summary
Longtime and returning residents urged the council to address shortages of playing fields and facilities for youth sports, saying teams are relocating to other cities and that existing fields lack sidewalks, parking and suitable surfaces.
Residents at the community forum pressed the council to prioritize more and better playing fields for youth sports in Atascadero.
Robbie Busick, a returning resident who said his family has lived in the city for decades, told the council the community lacks adequate soccer fields and other playing surfaces. “Just last year, I think there was over 700 registered youth soccer participants and seeing them play on any available field, lacking size, lacking, you know, the basic needs to have them be successful is something I hope that we can look at,” Busick said. He described Paloma Park as one of the few available sites and called for both short-term improvements to existing fields and a long-term plan for new development, including possible expansion into the state hospital zone that has been discussed in past years.
Busick also raised accessibility concerns: uneven surfaces, holes in playing fields, no nearby sidewalks for elderly grandparents, and limited parking that makes attendance difficult for older family members. He suggested community involvement and volunteer support to help design and fund improvements.
Council members did not take immediate action but heard the concerns and acknowledged the issue’s connection to park planning, funding and long-term development choices.
