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Council asks staff to meet with Little League after parks director outlines decay at Landrick Park fields
Summary
Parks director Paul Bloomberg told the council the Little League Northfields at Landrick Park suffer vandalism, vagrancy, flood damage and failing lights, and that the lease expired in 2023. Council asked the city manager to convene meetings with Little League and parks staff to explore restoration, lease renewal, or conversion to green space.
Paul Bloomberg, parks staff, told the Joplin City Council informal meeting on Aug. 18 that the Little League Northfields in Landrick Park have deteriorated to the point they are now used only for practice. Bloomberg described vandalism, vagrancy, failed lighting (one pole fallen), eroding creek banks from periodic Joplin Creek flooding and an overall decline in volunteer maintenance that left the site in “really bad shape.” He said the lease with Little League expired in 2023 and that the league’s current leadership was not aware the lease had lapsed.
Bloomberg listed several alternate practice locations staff proposed for Little League if the Northfields are removed or taken out of regular use: Gene Bassman and Wendell Redden fields at the athletic complex, two simple softball practice fields west of the softball complex, Gabby Street fields (in coordination with Parkwood), and the Miracle Field (a city-owned turf facility maintained in partnership with Joplin Rotary). He said the city charges outside organizations a $15 per-player use fee and that Little League reported 203 registered players this year, down from about 253 last year.
Council members raised concerns and options: give Little League a chance to present a repair/maintenance plan and possibly renew a lease; seek a private partner or investor to restore fields; or convert the site to green space while ensuring alternate practice capacity for youth teams. Council discussed practical obstacles to restoration, including flood mitigation, security and staffing — Bloomberg said parks staff cannot take primary maintenance responsibility without additional staff and equipment.
Bloomberg also noted a modest preservation gesture staff proposed: refurbishing the Little League entrance arch and moving it to the Gene Bassman complex for an estimated $400–$500 to honor volunteer contributions.
Mayor (presiding) asked the city manager to arrange meetings with Joplin Little League, the parks director and administration (with community volunteers invited) to explore options and next steps; council members indicated general agreement. No formal vote was recorded at the informal session.
