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Parks board hears proposals to boost youth sports: Fall Creek leadership updates, new City of Lawrence youth football/flag program and Hill 317 partnership
Summary
Board members heard Fall Creek baseball/softball leadership describe staffing, registration and scholarship plans; a presenter (Robert) outlined a City of Lawrence youth football and flag-football initiative seeking roughly $55,000 in startup funding and partnership with the Parks Foundation; community group Hill 317 introduced itself and previewed a Juneteenth event.
Virgil (speaker 4), who identified himself as president of Fall Creek baseball and softball, told the board the organization has new leadership and is solvent but still needs a concession director and vice president. He said spring season is wrapping up, fall registration will open soon, first practices were expected around Aug. 18 and the first games around Aug. 29, and that current registration sits around 175 with a possible increase when siblings are added.
Virgil described participant fees ranging about $75 to $115 and said average revenue per participant was about $86 with expenses near $83. He emphasized scholarships and sponsorships to keep fees affordable and asked for board assistance in filling volunteer leadership roles.
Later the board heard a proposal for a City of Lawrence youth football and flag-football initiative. Presenter Robert (speaker 5) described a recreation-focused program for ages 6 to 14 that could include both flag football and a travel league over time. He said the Parks Foundation would act as the nonprofit fiduciary to enable grant applications and sponsorships. —We're looking at potentially about $55,000 to start this program,— he said, adding the program would target 150 to 300 youth, with roughly 30% from underserved populations.
Jamie (speaker 7) and Parks staff explained that some grants require a nonprofit sponsor and that existing but quiet foundations could be re-engaged to serve that role. Staff said the city would develop a framework to assess partnerships and special-event uses so similar requests are reviewed consistently.
The board then met two representatives from the Hill 317: Vernon Beasley (speaker 8) said he created the Hill 317 and is executive director of Triple Lehi Incorporated, and Dion Crenshaw (speaker 9) described permitting, safety and volunteer roles. The Hill 317 is running weekly community fitness and wellness activities and plans a Juneteenth all-day event; organizers said they have listed the city as additional insured and will follow permitting and safety requirements.
Board members asked whether the Hill's gatherings fall under the city's over-100-people special-event policy; the mayor (speaker 6) and staff said paperwork has been filed and that a review process is being developed to ensure the rules are applied consistently.
Board members encouraged follow-up and asked staff to return with a plan for formal agreements and next steps. No new budget appropriations or formal votes on the youth initiatives were recorded at the meeting.
