Residents, players urge Lake Forest to address drop in adult softball and unpermitted programs at public parks

A resident and league player on Aug. 6 urged Lake Forest City staff to convene stakeholders to address a drop in adult softball participation and the rise of organized but unpermitted programs using public parks.

"I did form a social media group called the Lake Forest Adult Softball," longtime resident Sean Fletcher told the Community Services Commission. Fletcher said his online outreach and in-person contacts show many teams moved to neighboring cities such as Irvine, citing management and league-organization concerns. He asked the city to consider a stakeholders meeting so players, league organizers and staff can discuss restoring participation.

Fletcher also raised a separate complaint (ALF ticket 2808129) about simultaneous activities at Tamarisk Park — a youth basketball program he said lacked a permit, a youth football program (reported later as Saddleback Valley Cowboys) and baseball practices — which he said created parking congestion and field-use conflicts near the San Remo Recreation Center. "For that reason, the city should not be having multiple programs running at the same time at a community park," Fletcher said.

Deputy City Manager McGovern told the commission staff will look into Fletcher’s report and provide follow-up by email within a few weeks. McGovern said the city and field ambassadors sometimes address unauthorized uses of public fields but acknowledged staff needs to investigate specific claims of an organized, unpermitted basketball program. "We can look into that ... happy to look into it and then we can report back to the commission," McGovern said.

McGovern also announced the city has parted ways with the sports-park security contractor and will reprocure security services. "We have parted ways with the security contractor at the sports park," he said, adding the city council’s newly approved strategic plan funded citywide park security. While staff seek a new contractor, McGovern said the sheriff’s deputies will have increased weekend presence at the sports park.

Commissioners and other speakers who play or organize adult sports supported outreach. Commissioner Misha Fuentes, who said she now plays in Irvine, recommended more league tiers to attract less-competitive teams. Several commissioners said staff should investigate permit compliance and consider more marketing for local leagues.

Why it matters: Adult-league facility demand and unauthorized organized use of parks affect field availability, resident parking, upkeep and revenue from field rentals. Staff signaled they will investigate the specific Tamarisk Park complaint, pursue enforcement where appropriate and report findings to the commission.