Parks board recommends signage and pursues expanded Breuer Park rentals after daytime field lock

The Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board of the Village of Slinger recommended placing signs on Breuer Park ballfields instructing users to call Village Hall and provide 24 hours' notice to have fields opened during daytime hours, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director Tony Dobson said.

Board members moved to recommend the signage after staff locked the fields earlier this summer because of repeated misuse, including bicycles and dogs on the turf, people moving the pitching mound and base distances, and litter such as sunflower seeds and gum, Dobson said. He told the board he has received only one phone call asking why the fields were locked, and that person agreed with the decision once it was explained.

The board also discussed Breuer Park's role as a tournament venue. Dobson said the park hosted five large youth tournaments this summer that organizers called successful and that an outside organization has proposed booking as many as eight additional weekends in 2025. The village currently charges $1,000 per day to rent Breuer Park for a tournament; Dobson told the board he will present a rental proposal at the Sept. 3 board meeting. He said the proposed bookings could allow the village and outside nonprofit groups to operate concession stands as a fundraising opportunity.

Separately, Dobson said staff is evaluating additional security cameras to cover areas near each batting cage that the current system does not capture, with installation targeted for spring 2025.

Dobson said he will present the board's signage recommendation to the Village Board in August and the rental proposal to the Park Board in September. No formal vote on an ordinance or fee change was made at the Aug. 5 meeting.