Commission votes to forward landmark nominations for Elks Field and Seamus Field

The Recreation and Parks Commission approved a resolution directing staff to submit historic-landmark nomination packages for Elks Field (Elksfield) and Seamus Field to the planning commission for review. Staff presented the Historic Items of Merit and Landmark Committee findings and recommended forwarding the nominations for planning commission and city council consideration.

Dennis Smitherman, presenting the staff report, said the nomination recognizes the fields’ importance to local baseball history and clarified there are no immediate property-rights consequences to designation. Smitherman said the staff report contains detailed historical documentation compiled by community members and a local baseball historian who previously presented to the committee.

Smitherman advised that, should the planning commission approve, the nominations would go to city council for a final decision. He also said there are no direct city costs related to the nomination process; the department would work with the baseball community to fund interpretive signage if the designation proceeds.

The motion was moved and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Ramirez, Lopez, Carey, Zamora and Chair Cherry Godinho. Commissioners did not identify any changes to the staff recommendation during the discussion.

Next steps: staff will forward the nomination package to the planning commission for review as directed by the approved resolution.