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City manager outlines donated semi‑permanent netting to keep soccer balls out of McDonald Commons parking lot
Summary
City Manager Michael Norton‑Smith presented a plan for 65–80 foot wide, 14‑foot tall semi‑permanent netting at McDonald Commons to prevent balls from rolling into the parking lot; youth soccer groups would cover costs through a donation agreement while staff will finalize design and evaluate turf warranty and wildlife impacts.
City Manager Michael Norton‑Smith told the Madeira City Council the city has run into a safety problem at McDonald Commons: because the park was built with zero grading to improve accessibility, soccer balls roll from the field into the adjacent parking lot.
Norton‑Smith said staff tested low‑clearance and temporary netting without success and is proposing a semi‑permanent swath of netting roughly 65–80 feet wide and 14 feet tall, supported in the turf with removable supports for large events. He said youth soccer associations will cover the cost through a donation and that the proposed donation agreement would define responsibilities for replacement and maintenance.
Councilmembers generally expressed support on safety grounds. Dr. Jodi Whitted said safety should take precedence over cost; Vice Mayor Ramzi Takieddine urged staff to set clear timeframes for installation and removal. Chad Shaffer asked about unintended consequences for other sports and spectator viewing; Norton‑Smith said the netting would be located away from baseball fields and he did not anticipate conflicts with lacrosse or viewing but would investigate further. Kaity Rowe asked about potential wildlife impacts, which Norton‑Smith added to his follow‑up list.
Norton‑Smith said staff will resolve outstanding technical questions (how supports will be plugged to protect the turf and whether the turf warranty is affected) before executing a donation contract. The council did not take a formal vote on the netting proposal; Norton‑Smith said staff would continue to finalize design details and return with contract language if Council is comfortable proceeding.
