West Sacramento commission reviews proposed Memorial Park league use policy; music, banners and locked fields draw debate

City of West Sacramento Parks, Recreation and Intergenerational Services Commission members received a staff presentation and extensive public comment Feb. 4 on proposed updates to the Memorial Park Organized Sports League (OSL) use policy, which aims to balance organized play with neighborhood concerns.

The policy changes presented by Brandy Dionne, recreation manager overseeing athletics and aquatics, would tighten several longtime practices at Memorial Park, including a reduction in permitted amplified-sound days and clarified rules for field locking and sponsorship banners. "This compromise balances league requests with the neighborhood concerns," Dionne told the commission as she walked through errata changes that had been issued since the agenda packet was posted.

The proposed updates would reduce the number of allowed amplified-sound days that do not require a special-event (amplified sound) permit from 15 to 12, make those days voice-only (no music), require those 12 days to be prescheduled with the parks department for resident notification and staff monitoring, and allow up to four additional special-event days with music if a separate amplified-sound permit is approved. The draft sets a maximum sound level of 55 decibels measured 35 feet from the source and directs staff to monitor levels with a decibel reader and evaluate permanent monitoring solutions.

Dionne told the commission that municipal code definitions and permitting requirements (Municipal Code sections 12.12.020 and 12.12.030) mean amplified sound in parks generally requires a permit; the department had allowed 15 non-permitted days for Little League practice and postseason historically. Dionne said the errata clarified that both major and minor fields require approval for official team practices and that sponsorship banners must be appropriate for youth audiences and removed at season end.

West Sacramento Little League board members and dozens of parents, players and coaches urged the commission and staff to preserve music and banner access. "Memorial Park is more than just a field to us; it's a place where nearly 600 kids and their families come each season to cheer and play and create lifelong memories," said Kylie Cordum, president of West Sacramento Little League. League vice president Ryan Cassidy thanked staff for availability but urged reliance on existing city noise ordinances rather than a new, league-specific restriction: "Any violation of those, the folks that are in violation should be held accountable," he said.

Several youth players described walk-up songs as a formative part of the game experience. "The exhilarating feeling of you going up to the plate ... is a good feeling," Zach Brown, a player, told commissioners. Coaches and parents said banners and modest amplified sound help keep the league affordable and boost players' confidence.

Residents and the neighborhood liaison raised concerns the presentation sought to address: noise reaching nearby homes, the visual impact of banners visible from residences, and long-term field wear from unscheduled use and dogs. Dionne said the department keeps the major and minor fields locked year-round at staff discretion to protect the turf and that non-OSL field reservations would be permitted on Sundays and Mondays outside the spring/summer season while maintaining two no-play days per week.

Commissioners urged further work on compromise language. Commissioner Jans thanked youth speakers and asked staff to formalize how a neighborhood representative is selected so that the liaison reflects the nearby residents rather than a single voice. Commissioner Schatzel asked about enforcement and whether smaller, localized audio sources focused on dugouts could be an option. Staff indicated they would conduct sound tests and continue discussions with the league and neighborhood, but made no final commitments at the meeting.

Staff emphasized the policy is a department administrative policy (not a binding contract) and that the commission's role is advisory. Staff intends to finalize the policy before the 2025 organized-sports season begins in March, after additional feedback from the commission, the league and neighborhood stakeholders.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Dec. 3, 2024): motion by Commissioner Schatzel, second Commissioner Jans; passed on the consent agenda. - Resolution 205-1 PR (setting 2025 commission meeting dates/times): motion by Commissioner Schatzel, second Commissioner Archuleta; motion carried.

What remains Staff will incorporate commission feedback, provide clearer metrics on neighborhood representation and continue audio testing. The commission did not vote to adopt the draft policy; staff will return a final draft for distribution to the league and residents ahead of the 2025 season.