Ashwaubenon board approves temporary fencing for cricket field; staff to explore moving cornfield buffer

The Village of Ashwaubenon Park and Recreation Board on Aug. 19 approved a motion to put up temporary safety fencing at the cricket field in the Ashwaubenon Sports Complex and asked staff to explore whether the village could require the farmer to leave an additional cleared buffer (roughly 75 feet) between planted corn and the cricket area.

The discussion began after Sankar, a representative of the Green Bay Cricket Association, told the board players regularly lose balls in a nearby cornfield and estimated about 10 balls per game either roll or are hit into the crop; he said when balls are hit on the fly they can travel 10–15 rows into the cornfield. “This year we have been facing a lot of challenges in, getting the ball because…we lose the ball,” Sankar said.

Staff offered short-term and longer-term options. Rex (parks staff) said the department already owns orange safety fencing used for other events and could install a temporary fence attached to tee stakes and tree stakes to stop rolling balls and reduce retrieval problems for the rest of the season. Ron (parks staff/board) reported pricing he obtained earlier for 300 feet of polyethylene netting and 75 tee stakes totaled about $483; staff estimated that more substantial netting or chain-link installations with posts could cost in the low five figures (Rex gave a rough range of $10,000–$25,000 depending on height and materials).

Board members also discussed a longer-term administrative option: asking the village’s land manager or the Village Board to adjust the agricultural lease so corn is not planted in a strip immediately adjacent to the cricket field. Staff noted the village controls only the parcel to the northeast of the cricket field and that surrounding parcels (to the west and north) are owned by Brown County Airport; any buffer solution would therefore be limited to the village‑owned area. Staff said creating a cleared buffer would likely require grading and soil work similar to previous projects and could carry additional costs.

The board approved a motion to try temporary fencing for the remainder of the season and directed staff to assess whether the farmer’s lease could be adjusted to keep corn planted farther from the cricket field (an additional 75 feet was discussed as a starting point). Board members said they would consider fundraising or partner contributions if a permanent, higher netting solution were requested in the future.