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Residents and soccer league press Milpitas to fix Delano Manong Park; staff includes design funding in CIP
Summary
Residents, youth coaches and parents told the council May 5 that Delano Manong Park’s uneven, waterlogged turf is unsafe; staff said the CIP includes $300,000 for design of an artificial turf replacement and estimated later construction at about $1.5 million.
Dozens of residents, coaches and youth‑soccer volunteers urged the Milpitas City Council on May 5 to prioritize Delano Manong Park after persistent field‑condition problems. Speakers described uneven ground, sinking and puddling after rains, frequent ankle injuries and scheduling conflicts caused by overuse of the site.
"We feel that Delano Manong should be put at the priority place as first priority," Mark Navaro, director of coaching for Milpitas Soccer League, told the council. "Delano Manong would free up a lot of space and be used year round with minor upkeep." Other speakers — parents, team managers and the league’s field manager — said they are willing to help fundraise and offered to partner on grants.
Staff response and next steps: City staff acknowledged chronic irrigation and drainage issues and explained the field sits in a bowl that exacerbates runoff and saturation. Public Works Director Christian Denzo and Acting City Manager Jared Hernandez told council the CIP recommended for adoption includes a $300,000 design appropriation for replacing the park’s natural turf with artificial turf; staff estimated construction costs at roughly $1.5 million. Staff also pledged to coordinate more immediate safety steps with the Milpitas Unified School District — a joint‑use partner — and to explore accelerating design and construction where possible.
What residents said: Parents and coaches described the field as unsafe for practices and games, said they had to spray paint lines on dirt patches, and recounted players’ ankle injuries. Santino Forest, the league’s field manager, said the club regularly has to cancel or relocate practices due to muddy areas.
Council reaction: Council members pressed staff for interim mitigation (limited scheduling, more maintenance or short‑term corrective actions) in addition to advancing design. Staff said there are scheduling constraints tied to joint‑use agreements but that they will work with the school district and the league to find interim solutions and to prioritize the project in the CIP process.
What's next: The CIP adoption vote included the design appropriation; construction funding will be requested later after design and bidding. Staff and council members urged residents to continue dialoguing with city staff about interim closures and field rest periods while design work proceeds.
