Parks board provisionally approves Fall Creek Little League use of city fields pending insurance and financial benchmarks

The Lawrence City Parks Board provisionally approved a use agreement allowing Fall Creek Little League to continue using city softball and baseball fields through May 9, 2026, provided the league furnishes an updated certificate of liability insurance covering the remainder of its season and delivers detailed financial documents and other benchmarks the board required.

Chair (Speaker 1) opened the discussion after staff circulated the league’s registration and financial summaries, raising specific concerns about unclear line items, sponsorships on fences and an insurance certificate that, as submitted, expires May 9. “That question is my your legitimacy to me right there,” the chair said, arguing the board needs proof the league is serious and properly insured.

Several board members urged caution but emphasized the city’s interest in keeping kids on the field. Committee member (Speaker 2) said the board should avoid abruptly canceling games for children and proposed a conditional approval: “I would feel really guilty if there are children that are anticipating playing in our city and we've already got an organization that has an opening day scheduled for April 25,” the member said, urging due diligence rather than outright denial.

Tom (Speaker 3) and other members focused on concrete requirements. Board members agreed on three primary benchmarks for the short-term approval: (1) a certificate of liability insurance that extends through the league’s full season (through October 31 was discussed as a target); (2) a breakout of financials, including profit-and-loss and sponsorship accounting; and (3) either a $10 per-player contribution or in-kind facility improvements comparable to the city’s standard use agreements. Eric (Speaker 6) confirmed the city can adopt a template similar to the OIO agreement and indicated staff would work with the league on storage and concession details.

The chair moved to enter an agreement with Fall Creek Little League from April 6 through midnight May 9, subject to benchmarks set by the board and stipulations that include financial disclosure and updated insurance; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. One board member (Speaker 4) indicated an abstention during the vote. The motion’s written terms direct staff to spell out the benchmarks and, if needed, call a special meeting before the May board meeting should the league not meet the requirements.

The board also discussed broader contract-management improvements, including standardizing use agreements for all leagues and requiring clearer financial reporting and storage arrangements to avoid recurring disputes. Members said they want a face-to-face meeting with Fall Creek leadership to resolve outstanding questions and to ensure the league understands city expectations moving forward.

The board’s conditional approval allows Spring games to proceed under those terms while reserving the right to halt field access if the league fails to meet the insurance and financial benchmarks by the May 9 deadline.