Depew holds public hearing on proposed West Dawson soccer field; residents raise parking and maintenance questions

The Village of Depew opened a public hearing Monday on a proposal to convert a vacant parcel adjacent to historic Dawson Field into a youth soccer field, with a possible parking lot to follow.

The parcel, described at the hearing as approximately 3.47 acres and located near Columbia Avenue and the West Dawson playground, was offered to the village by the interim superintendent of the Depew school district for a nominal fee, officials said. Village officials said the recreation department would maintain the field if the village acquires it.

Why it matters: the project would return a vacant lot to active recreational use for youth sports and affect local parking patterns and green space. Residents at the hearing asked about how the site would be used, when work would start, how many…