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Parks staff pause plans for two new baseball fields while exploring upgrades to existing fields
Summary
Parks staff told the committee that plans to build two new baseball fields will not proceed until local leagues reach agreement; staff propose reallocating funds to improvements such as new lighting at existing fields and possibly eliminating two underused fields pending league confirmation.
Mister Howell, a parks staff member, told the Aviation and Beautification Committee that the city had set aside capital funds to build two new baseball fields but is pausing that work while continuing discussions with the city27s three leagues about consolidation.
Howell said the leagues have not yet agreed to form a single organized league and that, if one of the leagues disbands, the city could end up with only two leagues and would consider removing Lockwood Field and Brady Field from active use. Until the organizations reach agreement, Howell said the city would not move forward with constructing two new fields and instead is exploring using the existing funds for improvements such as replacing field lighting.
Committee members asked staff to keep the item on a future agenda while the city continues negotiations with leagues. Jamal Williams, who identified himself as a league user at the meeting, said communication with Parks and Recreation can be difficult for some leagues and suggested aligning fee schedules to seasonal timelines (for example, beginning user fees in December or January) to improve planning.
Howell and other staff emphasized that timely submission of seasonal schedules — start and end dates and typical weekly use — helps maintenance plan mowing and irrigation. Staff said they receive some schedules promptly from certain complexes but that others are late; they asked the committee to consider ways to improve compliance with scheduling and reporting requirements.
No formal motion or vote was taken on building new fields during the meeting.
