Paso Robles council directs staff to expand youth sports capacity, prioritize Sherwood Park lighting and turf

Mayor Mary Hammond and the Paso Robles City Council on May 20 unanimously directed staff to pursue short‑ and long‑term actions to increase sports-field capacity across the city, responding to public testimony from parents, coaches and youth athletes who said current fields are overused and in poor condition.

Community Services Director Angelica Fortin told the council city staff had surveyed user groups and found participation in outdoor recreation leagues has increased 59 percent over five years and that many teams prefer lighted fields. Fortin said the city owns 16 sports fields — 11 with lights — and that, under National Recreation and Park Association standards, Paso Robles would need four additional fields to meet demand. She added the city will lose access to one lighted field at Pioneer Park after March 2027 because the property was sold to the fairgrounds.

Fortin presented a package of short‑term and long‑term options. Short‑term proposals include installing lights and renovating turf at Sherwood Park (estimated cost: $1 million to $1.5 million each for lighting and turf…