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Council to notify county it will not renew Arch Leger Park lease, pledges to coordinate transition
Summary
After public comment from neighbors who rely on Arch Leger Park for youth practices, the council directed the mayor and staff to notify Comanche County that the city will not renew the 10-year lease and to work with county officials on a phased, mutually beneficial transition for park use and maintenance.
The Lawton City Council on May 4 voted unanimously to notify Comanche County that the city does not intend to renew a 10-year lease for Arch Leger Park and to ask county leaders to work with the mayor and city staff on a transition plan to preserve youth access.
Parks staff reported the Lawton Youth Sports Trust Authority determined on April 9 it no longer needs Arch Leger Park and recommended returning the site to the county. Kelvin Ingram of Parks and Recreation said the lease, originally executed in July 2016, had allowed county use of ballfields in exchange for city-provided treated water and related services. Council members and several speakers from the neighborhood said families—particularly underprivileged households—use the park for football and baseball practice, and they urged the council to retain city involvement or to negotiate a phased handback with the county.
Citizens including Mark Henry described a long history of neighborhood use and asked the council to delay termination, make a plan for backstops and dugouts, and coordinate maintenance rather than simply returning the site. Council members said they had spoken with county commissioners and moved to send a formal letter indicating the city’s desire not to renew the lease and to ask the county to work with the mayor to develop a mutually beneficial approach. The motion included direction for the mayor to work with staff on the transition; the vote was 8-0.
Why it matters: Arch Leger Park serves neighborhoods with limited recreation options, and council members acknowledged the need to balance the Youth Sports Authority’s current operational footprint with neighborhood access. Council’s action is procedural notice of nonrenewal while staff and the mayor pursue collaboration with county officials.
What the council did: Approved a motion to notify the county the city will not renew the 10-year lease and directed the mayor and staff to coordinate with county officials on a transition plan to address practice space, equipment and maintenance.
Next steps: Mayor and staff will draft and send the letter to the county and pursue negotiations to phase responsibilities in a way intended to preserve public access where possible.
