Menlo Park: Report expected on local playing fields Menlo Park: Report expected on local playing fields (December 21, 2005)

By Rory Brown

Almanac Staff Writer

The Parks and Recreation Commission will hear a report on Menlo Park's playing field situation at its meeting on Wednesday, December 21.

A three-commissioner task force made up of Chairman Richard Cline, Paula Maurano and Robert Silano has been looking into what many sports league leaders and volunteers say is a shortage of sports fields in Menlo Park and the surrounding towns.

Playing fields have become a hot-button issue since the city received a proposal by Buena Park-based Highlands Golf to construct a golf course and three playing fields at Bayfront Park, an expanse of open space off Marsh Road and adjacent to a wildlife refuge area.

Many sports advocates say more playing fields are desperately needed, but the city hasn't provided statistical data showing how many fields the city needs to accommodate its Little League, softball and soccer teams.

Mr. Cline said some questions have been answered by city staff -- current fields are at full capacity, and are used by as many as eight different groups a day.

But the task force still needs to meet with sports groups and open space advocates to figure out alternatives for maximizing the city's field space, he said.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Burgess Recreation Center at 700 Alma St.

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