Resident urges council to explore space for Mountainside Football Club fields

Mountainside resident Mikayla Whalen told the mayor and council that the volunteer Mountainside Football Club needs additional soccer fields to sustain and grow its youth program.

"My name is Mikayla Whalen, Mountainside resident," she said, explaining the club’s inaugural season served more than 100 players and that field availability is the program’s biggest headwind. Whalen described borough fields: a 7v7 at Burrow Hall not suitable for older youth, Deerfield (a full-size field) often occupied by baseball and softball, and Echo Lake Park (a Union County field) where permit priority favors other clubs.

Whalen proposed that land behind Beechwood School might be suitable for a grass field with investment for regrading, tree removal, drainage, sodding and, potentially later, irrigation and lights. She said the club — a volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) — is prepared to fundraise for improvements.

The presiding official urged Whalen to first secure the Board of Education’s approval, noting a similar proposal about 10 years ago foundered after the board withdrew support; the council indicated it would work with the club once board permission is obtained. Several council members praised the program’s inaugural season and encouraged continued conversations with the Board of Education and borough staff.

Next steps: The club has been advised to obtain written approval from the Board of Education if it wants the borough to pursue a school-site field; councilmembers said they will continue discussions once that step is completed.