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Commission considers options after McLeod field protective pads block some wheelchair sightlines
Summary
Commissioners and staff discussed access and sightline problems created by newly installed protective pads at McLeod field; engineers presented options that range from modest fixes to six‑figure reconfigurations and the department will convene an interdepartmental meeting to narrow alternatives and identify funding sources.
Park and Recreation commissioners discussed complaints about sightlines and wheelchair access at McLeod field after protective padding was installed along the backstop and from dugout to dugout.
Commissioners said the padding was installed for player safety and should not be removed without considering that safety trade‑off. Several members noted the pads obstruct sightlines from lower rows and make it difficult for spectators in wheelchairs to see the batter’s box or the field without moving into higher rows.
Engineering options presented to the department range from low‑cost adjustments to raising or moving stands and low‑cost sightline changes, up to more extensive solutions that an engineer estimated could reach the low‑six‑figure range. Staff said estimated cost ranges they had seen were roughly $30,000 to $120,000 depending on the scope and the need to replace or reconfigure the protective fencing.
Department staff said they will hold an internal meeting with engineering and relevant departments to examine options, and that any capital expense would be brought back to the commission for a decision about funding source (including whether field‑specific maintenance funds could be applied). No final decision was made at the March 10 meeting.
Commissioners emphasized balancing player safety — the stated reason for the pads — with spectator access and ADA considerations and asked staff to return with a narrower set of options and cost estimates once the interdepartmental meeting is complete.
