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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-11 PACKET 07.A.City of Cotta Grove Minnesota To: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director CC: Greg Niles, Parks Foreman Date: May 10, 2012 Subject: Consider Making Woodridge Baseball Field #43 a Permitted Use Facility Introduction The city has proudly invested a large amount of time, money and resources into the large baseball field at Woodridge Park. As a result, this facility has become the premier baseball facility in the community. There have been suggestions by both maintenance staff and user groups that this field be considered for use by permit only to assure its long -term care and quality. Background Over the past several years, the City and the Cottage Grove Athletic Association have partnered in a vision of establishing Woodridge Park baseball field #43 as the community's premier baseball facility. As such, the following projects have been completed over the past 10 years: 1. Construction of large full -sized backstop 2. Installation of grass infield and enhanced irrigation system 3. Erection of fencing along entire perimeter of ballfield 4. Installation of windscreen and capping along fencing 5. Construction of permanent bullpens 6. Construction of dugouts 7. Periodic reconstruction and maintenance procedures of grass infield and turf 8. Enhanced turf maintenance procedures; weed spraying, fertilizing, insect control, cutting and sodding of infield skins. Currently the field is home to multiple CGAA traveling teams, the Park High School B -Squad team, VFW baseball, Coyotes Amateur baseball, and more. The City has been fortunate that the user groups have not only helped in funding and volunteering to improve this facility but have also dedicated their support in assuring the field is respected and maintained on a regular basis. The user groups have done an excellent job of educating managers, coaches and players on the importance of continual upkeep of this premier facility thus minimizing the potential for damage and unnecessary expenses to keep the ballfield in top shape. Examples of these directives include; not playing on the field during rain events, moving practice areas throughout the complex so as to not damage or wear out a single area, sweeping dirt from turf back to infield regularly, pitching mound /bullpen maintenance, not hitting baseballs into fencing, dugout maintenance, litter removal and quite simply working each day to assure the field is closely monitored and cared for. Without these efforts by the user groups, the facility would certainly not be what it is today. The conjoined effort to care for this facility is what has made it the premier baseball facility in Cottage Grove. Considering that there are over 55 ballfield in the community, it has been suggested by maintenance staff and user groups that the City considers making this particular field available to the general public by permit only. Essentially the facility would remain locked unless a permit is obtained from the Parks and Recreation Department to use the field. With the permit, the user will receive a key to gain entry for the permitted time. Current rate for a resident wishing to rent this facility would be $16.50 for two hours of use. Non - resident rate would be $22 for two hours of use. The City of Cottage Grove takes great pride in providing public spaces and facilities for the entire community to enjoy. It is rare that staff suggests creating areas that are not open to the general public. However, some recreational facilities such as the Ice Arena, Pool and Golf Course do require payment for use. Other examples in the community would include the school varsity baseball and softball fields and stadium turf /track. Typically, facilities that incur higher than normal operating and /or capital costs are considered for this type of process. Although the Woodridge Park baseball field does not have near the capital or operating costs as the other mentioned facilities, it does receive more investment of time and money than what would be considered for a normal baseball field. As such, staff is requesting that consideration be given to making this baseball field usable by permit only. To help understand what other communities are doing, below are a few examples for review: Woodbury Miracle Field is closed to general public due to investment, all other fields open. Rosemount All fields are open to the public. Inver Gr Hts Softball complex is closed to general public, all other fields open. Hastings All fields are open to the public but do have a few fields that are for "games only ". Richfield Two baseball fields locked up and used by permit only. All other fields open. South St Paul Lock premier baseball field and charge premium rate. All other fields are open. Eagan Lock two premier baseball fields. Also lock fourplex when not in season. All other fields open. Farmington All fields are open to the public. The permitting of this facility would follow existing facility use policies. As such, there would be no negative impact to the athletic association, schools or current user groups. However, the general public would no longer be allowed use without a permit and key to the facility. With over 55 ballfields in the community, 54 of which are currently accessible to the public at will, there appears to be plenty of opportunity for recreational baseball or softball use of which will not be negatively impacted by the decision to close this one particular field. Should this field be closed to general public use, there is still one baseball field available for use at Woodridge Park, eight within a 1 / mile service radius and 10 within this particular park district. Staff believes restricting general public use to the facility will continue to ultimately maintain the quality of the facility. This policy should also save long -term costs of repair and maintenance by limiting use to groups who will be expected to care for the facility in a particular manner. Further, staff and user groups believe keeping the facility locked will help to curb immediate concerns of people letting dogs run within the fenced area, pet defecation in the playing field areas and to prevent loitering and /or vandalism of dugouts. Recommendation Recommend staff make Woodridge Park Baseball Field #43 a permitted use only facility.