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Council approves Freedom Park field expansion with fence, dimension and dugout changes
Summary
Council approved Freedom Park expansion plans and added three modifications — reduced foul-line distances, dugout-back modifications and fence/backstop adjustments — and directed staff to include the changes in plan sets and return after bids are received.
The Angleton City Council approved plans to expand the playing field at Freedom Park, with specific modifications to field dimensions, dugout back walls and fence details that council members requested during discussion.
Jason, a city staff member, told the council the project documents are at or near 100% and include ad-alternates for dugout expansion, turf infill, lighting and other options. Claudia described dugouts expanded to a 50-by-10-foot base and an ad-alternate to construct rear dugout walls from split-face CMU (cinder block).
Council members debated outfield dimensions and long-term maintenance costs. One council member proposed reducing the foul-line distances to 325 feet to save money and ongoing maintenance; staff said that change could reduce cost but might shift the project schedule and that a revision could be brought back at the January meeting if desired. Members also discussed a 3-foot low wall between dugouts with a 4-to-5-foot rear dugout wall for separation and airflow; staff and the design team cautioned against fully enclosing dugouts and noted opportunities for electrical and ventilating fans if enclosed.
A motion to approve the Freedom Park expansion with the three discussed modifications — shorten the foul lines to 325 ft, modify the dugout backs to roughly 5 ft, and adjust fence/backstop details — carried by voice vote. The council asked staff and the consultant team to finalize 100% plan sets reflecting those edits, proceed with permitting, and return with bids and a formal recommendation.
The approval advances the field renovation toward procurement; staff emphasized that alternate options (turf, lighting, CMU finish) are still subject to available funding and bid results and that the item will come back for final award when bids are tabulated.
