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Committee directs Recreation Commission to identify 2–3 sites for youth sports fields
Summary
The Public Safety and Quality of Life committee voted unanimously to ask the Cincinnati Recreation Commission to identify two to three candidate sites—including the police academy field in Lower Price Hill—within 60 days for potential development of youth sports fields, following discussion about safety, surface type and program access.
The Cincinnati City Council Public Safety and Quality of Life committee voted unanimously to ask the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) to identify two to three potential sites for youth sports fields, including the police academy field in Lower Price Hill.
Council member Mark Jeffries, who reintroduced the motion, said the request would collect options for fields meant to serve youth football and related activities and to support mentorship and development programs. “For a lot of kids, especially the pee wee little leagues, this is really important to have a place for them to play,” Jeffries said.
The committee adopted a friendly amendment from Council member Krammerding asking CRC to assess the practicality of developing synthetic-surface fields that can be used year-round and typically include walking or running lanes. Krammerding noted some budget money from the prior year could be applied to site development.
Members discussed safety, program design and long-term maintenance. Council member Nolan urged caution about tackle football at young ages and recommended CRC consider flag football early in athletes’ development, saying, “the evidence is there that, CTE, results from football happening at the youth level before someone even gets to high school.” Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Kearney suggested broadening the effort to 'youth sports' rather than limiting it to football and asked the CRC to avoid synthetic surfaces that contain PFAS for environmental and health reasons.
Council members also raised security and funding concerns. Jeffries said enclosed sites would help security and enable volunteer leagues to charge modest fees to cover basic costs, and Albee asked officials to keep in mind earlier reports of firearms and other safety issues at pee-wee games.
Clerk Jeremy conducted a roll call after the amendment; the recorded votes were yes from Council Member Scotty Johnson, Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Kearney, Council Member Anna Albee, Council Member Krammerding, Council Member Ryan James, Council Member Mark Jeffries, Council Member Nolan and Council Member Mika Owens. The motion passed.
The committee did not set a construction timeline; the motion asks CRC to identify candidate locations and assess practicality within 60 days. The committee adjourned after brief remarks thanking city staff for storm response.
