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Commission explores cricket pitch options at Jenny Hansen and Centennial parks
Summary
Council liaison and staff said cricket players have asked for a dedicated pitch; the commission discussed possible sites (Jenny Hansen and Centennial), tradeoffs between a permanent concrete strip versus portable pitches, maintenance and scheduling implications, and the potential economic benefit of tournaments.
Snoqualmie council liaison Peter Munson and parks staff briefed the Parks and Events Commission on May 13 about requests from local cricket players for a dedicated pitch and discussed possible locations and constraints.
Staff said two parks have emerged as the most feasible options: Jenny Hansen and Centennial. Commissioners and staff debated whether to install a permanent concrete strip in the middle of an existing field (the preferred surface for some forms of cricket) or to accommodate the sport with portable roll‑out pitches and a reinforced base that would preserve multiuse turf. Staff warned that permanent slabs in the center of multipurpose fields can complicate routine maintenance and could interfere with other sports and field uses.
Commissioners raised questions about minimum field dimensions for tournaments versus youth play, how a pitch would affect scheduling and lighting needs, and whether the city could host tournaments that draw overnight stays and economic activity. Staff noted that Centennial Park was the largest available option and might best support larger games or tournaments; Jenny Hansen could host smaller or youth configurations. Commissioners also discussed concerns about stakes and hardware damaging artificial turf and the effects of intensified field use on upkeep and scheduling.
Why it matters: Commissioners said a successful, well‑planned pitch could support local youth development and bring tournaments that benefit local businesses. Staff recommended more coordination with local cricket organizers to define a minimum acceptable configuration and to explore intermediate solutions such as portable pitches on reinforced bases or artificial turf solutions that avoid permanent concrete in the middle of multipurpose fields.
The commission asked staff to continue the conversation with the cricket community and return with possible configurations, maintenance implications and estimated costs.
