#21 - Baseball Field Improvements

Home Browse Search

Page 2 On March 20, 2023 the Parks Commission all voted in favor of recommending to City Council the authorizing of Request for Proposal for Design Services to be completed on Reid and Ridge Park for the improvements of the baseball fields ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL: Would the City Council like to conduct a proposal for design on Reid and Ridge Park? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: The city has eight possible fields to consider updating to make usable by current stakeholders. Things to consider are additional resources available that help support a baseball field within the community and its placement. One of the major issues is space. Survey results show a majority of people would like to see multiple fields in one location. Based on the current park system only Pebble and Ridge would be able to fit more than one field at its location. Even the sites capable of having more than one field likely can only accommodate two smaller fields or a combination of a competitive and recreation ball field. Excavating Dirt work and excavating will be the most costly expense as staff begins looking at updating current fields. Some of the biggest issues staff currently has with fields is drainage and overall layout of the field. Direction and placement of field within the park should be considered to eliminate sitting water within the playing area. Ideally a field should face North East. This allows for field use throughout the day including spring, summer and fall without the sun becoming a factor to either the pitcher or batter. Currently fields at Tablyn and Reid face the NE direction. Staff has identified Reid and Stonegate fields needing minimal excavating to the area of the playing field. Parking Many of the city’s parks lack a large parking area for a multi-team event. Having approximately 25-30 parking spaces for a single field and having a minimum of 40 parking stalls for a park with two fields is suggested. Currently fields at Klies, Stonegate and Tana limit users to residential street parking only. This becomes a concern with multiple teams or the regular use of the filed with users parking in residential areas. Parking at Demontreville and Reid currently have parking for about 28 cars. Ridge, Tablyn although not marked, currently has space for approximately 10 -15. Placement of parking areas to the field is a concern for many users. Parking too close to the playing area becomes an issue with foul balls striking cars; unintentionally moving parking back into the residential area. Parking too far away limits user’s ability to easily transfer player’s gear and supplies to and from the field. Water/Sewer Access to water and sewer should be considered as we potentially grow the value and usability of our park area. Water is ideal for field irrigation as well as use by regular park users. Water access will allow for continued care of the parks investment into a new field during its first few years of establishing grass areas. Water reuse from a nearby storm water pond can be very beneficial and save thousands of dollars a year on purchasing water. Upfront cost of a water reuse system range from $80-$120K which may be more costly in the beginning but ultimately little expense during operation. Having access to water at park locations can also offer the potential to having restrooms or drinking fountain in the future. Currently Klies and Demontreville fields are the only fields that do not have direct access to city water. Options of drilling a well for water access is still available in both of these parks. Sanitary access is limited to many of the parks, currently Reid and Stonegate have sanitary sewer within proximity that may be accessible. If desired a drain field for sanitary could be an option if space allows. Electrical Lighting to a field is ideal for stakeholders to hold events and scheduling multiple games in the evening especially in the spring and fall when daylight hours become limited. Although lighting is a great amenity to a field, members should consider field placement to residential areas when lighting a field. Additional access to electricity can provide the potential to having a scoreboard, concession area and restrooms.