7-16-1981SPECIAL MEETING
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION
L
July 16, 1981
The special meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jaffe at
7x40 p.m. The following members were present: Benson, Burmeister,
Fuller, Lyons and Micks. Absent members were Johnson, Petersen and
Scanlon. Also present were Corlett of staff, and Gary Super of Yen's
Softball Assn.
The only item on the agenda for the special meeting was to
review the findings of the "alternatives" subcommittee and give our
input. However, Dan Super of the Adult Ken's Softball Assn. wanted to
present his association's viewpoint because the "Alternatives" sub-
committee did not include representatives of the softball teams that
would be displaced from Lions Park.
Highlights of Men's Softball Assn. Presentation
A. Presuming that Breck School will not be available to Babe Ruth
after 1981, the Babe Ruth program needs 2 new or upgraded fields
for 1982.
B. Little League, assuming that Seeman Park will not be available
in 1982, needs 1 additional site.
C. The demand for adult softball facilities is growing --locally,
statewide, and nationally.
D. Due to the organisational and social nature of softball (teams
often form around the work group) and the fact that Golden Valley
is a high -employment community, demand for facilities has been
growing and will continue to do so.
B. Lion's Park neighbors are not opposed to adult softball any more
so than other organized uses of Lion's park.
F. The tradition of "double headers" in the more competitive
Industrial leagues is important to the strength of the program -
permitting a 24 game league schedule. Scheduling and logistical
problems would make it difficult to continue this type of program
without a four -diamond complex such as Lions Park.
G. Due to space limitations, fences at Lions Park range from approxi-
mately 262 feet to 275 feet. While the softball prople have
never considered this problem to be serious to the extent that
it addressed the City Council --ASA (Amateur Softball Assn) specif-
ications call for outfield fences at 280 feet --,280 ' fences would
be among the "wants" (vs* musts) of the adult softball program
in considering future sites.
H. Until the needs of all programs involved here, as well as the
alternatives available for meeting their various needs (and wants)
can be fully evaluated in a less emotional, less time -constrained
setting. -Lions Park is best utilised as a site for men's adult
softball.
I. Much attention was being focused on the "wants" of the Little
League, while our primary "need" -- a place to play in 1982 and
beyond was still completely unaddressed and unsettled.
J. Golden Valley Men's softball opposes, in principle, long-term
contractual arrangements with any private organization for
exclusive use of public park facilities.
or 1982):
K. Golden VradednfieldfforlBabeoRuthsf
1. One upgraded
at
upgSandburg School
2. Renegotiate with neighbors for the use of Seeman Park for
Little League for one more year.
3. Form an 8 month commission to fully explore all alternatives.
Commission Comments
l and way
ve to come
tCitwhereas,the somerace adultf softballlteams could be back
be dropped"
too thehe City;
.
(Burmeister)
"Golden Valley has one of the highest per capita number of parks.
I think we should start seriously thinking whether it is necessary
to build more baseball and softball fields" (Yieks)
"Babe Ruth, Little League and Men's Softball would all be improved
if we want to spend $154,000. If Honeywell and Seeman are not viabl
this is the best solution" (Fuller)
"Down the road Little League might not need a field. Now Little League
is not in dire straights, but Babe Ruth is in need for a field." (Jaffe)
Motion by Burmeister to make a statement that the Open Space and
Recreation Commission would pass on to the City Countil-- "A_ s a
result of extensive input. evaluation and overall consideration of
all rrnnrAms. we advise that: a two Babe Ruth Fields be constructed
�leave Little Lea ue at Hone well and Seeman Park ci
at Sandberg,b)
continue to maintain adult softball at Lions and d retain girls
softball at_M_edley. Benson seconded. Motion passed with 'Vicks abstaind-
ing. Vicks abstained because she thoughtcommittee's work had finally
come to some agreement and also was concerned about making
ement
before Seeman Park neighborhood was consulted. Benson responded that
this is S°imlicitsomething
thatecouncilwas
willLittle
lookLeague
Lions
and it i pp
neighborhood sentiment.
Adjournment
Lyons moved to adjourn. Seconded by all. The meeting was adjourned
at 10:30 p.m.
Chairperson Jaffe Vice Chairman Burmeister