Paso Robles council directs short-term fixes for sports fields, prioritizes Sherwood Park lighting and turf

The Paso Robles City Council on May 20 unanimously directed staff to implement short-term measures to increase youth sports field capacity — including adding lighting and renovating turf at Sherwood Park — and to pursue long-term park planning for Larry Moore and Beechwood parks.

The action follows a staff presentation showing a 59% rise in outdoor recreation league participation over five years and public testimony from dozens of parents, coaches and youth athletes who said field shortages are forcing teams to travel out of town. "We heard three consistent themes from user groups: more lights at Sherwood, maintenance, and additional youth fields across the city," Community Services Director Angelica Fortin said during the presentation.

Fortin told the council that the city currently owns 16 sports fields, 11 of which have lights, and that meeting National Recreation and Park Association standards would require about four additional fields. She said one lighted field at Pioneer Park will be lost after March 2027 because that site was sold to the fairgrounds. Fortin outlined short-term options estimated at roughly $1 million to $1.5 million each for field lighting and turf renovation at Sherwood and recommended advancing a master parks, recreation and trails plan (estimated $150,000–$300,000) for a citywide approach.

Councilmembers and staff emphasized Sherwood Park as the most immediate opportunity. "Sherwood was the least-preferred in quality, but the second-most used facility behind Barney Schwartz Park," Fortin said. Councilmember Gregory moved to direct staff to explore short-term strategies and to prioritize Sherwood; Councilmember Strong seconded. The motion passed 5–0 (Councilmember Gregory: Aye; Councilmember Bausch: Aye; Councilmember Bridal: Aye; Councilmember Strong: Aye; Mayor Hammond: Aye).

Public commenters described frequent late-night practices for young children, field conditions with gopher holes and uneven turf, and travel to other cities when local fields were unavailable. "Sherwood Park is so fun because you can be playing T‑ball and look at the 12U field — the little kids get inspired," said Michael Onrude, a local resident and youth baseball volunteer. Several youth players and coaches from Central Coast Surf and Paso Robles Youth Baseball described disruptions to practice and injuries tied to poor field surfaces.

Council also approved by unanimous vote a second motion directing staff to pursue long-term opportunities including advancing Larry Moore Park and the Beachwood Park concepts and completing a master parks and recreation plan; that motion was moved by Councilmember Bridal and seconded by Councilmember Strong. A third related motion (moved by Gregory, seconded by Strong) directed staff to return with necessary items to implement both short- and long-term strategies, including appropriate CEQA review. All three motions passed 5–0.

Fortin noted funding options: the city currently has about $3.6 million in development impact fees for parks; those fees are eligible to fund capacity-increasing projects (for example, field lighting and parts of Larry Moore and Beachwood that expand service), but are not intended for deferred maintenance. The staff slide deck presented to council estimated lighting at Sherwood would be development-impact-fee eligible; turf rehabilitation would require other funding sources.

Council members asked staff to accelerate work where possible and to coordinate with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District on shared-field access. Freda (staff member) told council that lighting engineering, material lead times and permitting mean construction could take roughly a year from start to finish.

The council vote followed a large public turnout. Players, parents and volunteer coaches described tournament travel and the time commitment of volunteers who maintain fields. "We have over 500 kids playing this spring season on 46 teams," said John Perini, a Paso Robles Youth Baseball volunteer. Several commenters urged the council to match the urgency shown for other park projects and to treat youth field safety as a priority.

The city will return to the council with budget and project packages for Sherwood in the FY 2025–26 budget cycle and with scope and costs for master planning. Staff recommended, and council accepted, that staff pursue short-term measures at Sherwood Park (lighting and turf rehabilitation), begin outreach for the master parks plan, and ask the school district to consider publicly accessible fields at its 306 Sixth Street campus when the district plans reuse of that site.

The council’s actions tonight set direction for both immediate work at Sherwood Park and a coordinated, citywide planning effort to address growing demand for youth sports fields.