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Commissioners weigh future of Ahlschlager Park as lease nears expiration
Summary
Commissioners discussed the City of Lawton's plans for Ahlschlager Park and designated Commissioner Ryan John to lead a committee after noting the county lacks staff and resources to maintain the fields when a 10-year lease ends June 30, 2026.
The Board of Comanche County Commissioners spent part of its May 4 meeting discussing the future of Ahlschlager Park at 17th Street and G Avenue as a city lease approaches expiration.
Commissioner Ryan John presented a map and said the City of Lawton had originally planned to decommission the park but now intends to keep the pony field. John told the board that, for his district, the county will not be able to maintain the baseball and multipurpose fields if the city steps away from operations.
Chairman Johnny Owens said the lease is scheduled to end on June 30, 2026, and warned that "once they no longer lease it, then the bathrooms and concession stand will need to be removed," noting the structures "are in bad shape already." Owens added the county does not have the personnel to take over mowing or field maintenance: "I don’t have the staff to mow that area." Commissioner Kenny Kinder asked about the nearest school and whether that would affect use; Owens said he would obtain a list of nearby schools.
To keep momentum on the issue, Owens moved that Commissioner Ryan John be the designated county representative on a committee to negotiate or oversee next steps; Kinder seconded, and the motion passed with Owens, John and Kinder voting aye. The board did not take further formal action on maintenance funding or a transfer of responsibilities during the meeting.
The matter will proceed through the committee process; the county did not set an implementation date in the minutes.
