Signal Mountain board considers converting Hedgesville into youth lacrosse field, flags safety and funding questions

The Signal Mountain Recreation Board discussed on April 16 a proposal to convert Hedgesville into a full-time lacrosse field for younger players, the chair said.

Board members said parents have offered to donate equipment and supplies to outfit a small, age-appropriate field. The chair also mentioned a figure of “200,000,” though the context and whether that was an estimate, funding source, or total cost were not specified in the meeting.

The proposal would limit play to kindergarten through fifth grade because Hedgesville’s current dimensions do not meet middle- or high-school field sizes, the chair said. Committee members discussed practical safety measures, including installing perimeter nets to prevent balls from being lost in nearby woods and reducing the risk of injury to passersby.

One board member noted that Hedgesville is surrounded by woods except for an adjacent baseball field, and suggested that any plan include barriers or netting to avoid frequent ball loss. Another member volunteered to coordinate follow-up work on the proposal and to engage parents who have offered to help with equipment and materials.

The board also discussed possible phased improvements such as adding lighting later; a committee member said a colleague is “working on getting the light bulb,” indicating lighting is a future consideration rather than an immediate commitment. No formal motion or vote was recorded on the proposal during the meeting.

Next steps: the board agreed to take safety concerns under advisement and to gather clearer cost information and a more formal proposal outlining required equipment, insurance considerations, and any town approvals needed before proceeding.