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Gilroy Little League urges city to open school fields and fix unsafe ballparks
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Summary
Representatives of Gilroy Little League told the Parks and Recreation Commission that limited field access and deteriorating conditions at Christmas Hill and Los Animas Ballpark threaten safety and participation; they asked the city to open Gilroy Unified School District fields, prioritize repairs and collaborate on funding and maintenance.
Valerie Lott, speaking for Gilroy Little League, told the Parks and Recreation Commission that limited field access and deteriorating park conditions are harming youth sports participation and creating safety risks.
"Gilroy Little League has been a cornerstone of our community for over 70 years," Lott said, saying the league serves roughly 650 youth and relies on more than 100 volunteers. She described uneven surfaces, poor drainage and damaged fencing at Christmas Hill and Los Animas Ballpark and asked the city to prioritize maintenance and to open school fields for community use.
The request highlighted two immediate asks: permission for community programs to use Guilroy Unified School District (GUSD) fields and targeted repairs at the two ballparks most frequently used by the league. Lott said the league can supply volunteers and some funding but needs the city's partnership to secure steady access and to reduce safety hazards.
Al Castro, who followed Lott, echoed those points and said local families have raised money earmarked for ballpark improvements. "These funds were raised by the community," Castro told the commission, and he stressed that the ballpark fund's language limits use to facilities within the city or facilities under city control. Castro urged prioritizing Christmas Hill and Los Animas Ballparks ahead of the 2026 season and offered the league's continued collaboration on planning and maintenance.
Commissioners and staff discussed next steps on publicity and access: staff said they would work with recreation to publish scholarship and program application materials online and to distribute flyers through libraries and community centers. The commission also asked staff to clarify any grant or donor restrictions on the ballpark funds and to return with more complete documentation and a timeline of potential repairs.
The commission did not take a formal vote on funding during the meeting. Staff agreed to follow up with the Little League and report back at a future meeting so the commission and city can identify feasible near-term repairs and any required approvals.
The commission will revisit the requests and supporting documentation at its next meeting; in the meantime staff will attempt to identify immediate maintenance fixes and distribution channels for application materials.
