Menlo Park: Playing fields report answers some questions; others remain Menlo Park: Playing fields report answers some questions; others remain (December 28, 2005)

** Current system is running at capacity, but higher fees and upgrades to existing sites may free up space.

By Rory Brown

Almanac Staff Writer

A three-member task force of parks and recreation commissioners last week unveiled a report that supports a widespread assumption: Menlo Park's playing fields are strained to capacity.

But how many fields the city needs, how the current fields can be improved and where new fields can be built are questions yet to be answered.

Commissioner Paula Maurano presented the task force's report at the December 21 parks commission meeting.

She was appointed to the task force, along with Chairman Richard Cline and Robert Silano, at the commission's November 16 meeting to study the city's playing field situation -- a hot-button issue since Buena Park-based Highlands Golf LLC proposed to build three playing fields at no cost to the city if the company can also build an 18-hole golf course at Bayfront Park.

The 160-acre park off Marsh Road is adjacent to a wildlife refuge, and is now used mainly by hikers, bicyclists, dog walkers and nature lovers.

Some council members and sports groups have rallied behind the golf course/playing field proposal, saying it's the city's best option for much-needed playing fields, but open space advocates have argued that the city hasn't looked at all options for field space.

City staff says the Highlands proposal is the best option for covering maintenance costs for the park because the city would generate revenue by leasing the land to Highlands.

The City Council directed the task force to examine the city's field situation, but not alternative means for covering costs to maintain Bayfront, according to Michael Taylor, a senior recreation supervisor with the community services department, who will soon become the department's interim director.
Nine fields

At the November 1 council meeting, city staff said there are 26 fields in Menlo Park; the task force report says otherwise.

The city has a total of nine soccer fields, most of which are divided into smaller fields to give younger players an appropriate space to play and practice, said Ms. Maurano.

All of the fields at Burgess, Lyle and Nealon parks, all in the west part of town, are overused; the fields at Kelly Park and Belle Haven School, in the Belle Haven neighborhood in east Menlo Park, are not used enough, said Ms. Maurano.

Several fields have multiple uses; baseball and soccer groups use the same space, and cannot practice or play simultaneously.
'Regional issue'

Commissioner Heyward Robinson said at last week's parks commission meeting that neighboring cities should be helping Menlo Park fix the playing field situation.

"This needs to be a regional issue," he said. "I think it's time we have a meeting with the Atherton parks and recreation commission."

There are about 1,700 registered youth soccer players and 1,100 Little League players who use the city's fields, according to the report, but the report does not say how many participants are Menlo Park residents.

Mr. Robinson noted that local sports organizers want full-size fields.

A full-size soccer field must be at least 100 yards by 50 yards, and can be up to 130 yards by 100 yards, according to city staff. The city's largest field is 95 yards by 65 yards, and is located at Burgess Park.

Mr. Robinson said the only full-size field in the immediate area is at Menlo-Atherton High School, but user groups must pay a fee that depends on the time of day and season for which the field is requested.

Coaches and organizers would also like to see existing fields upgraded with artificial turf and lights, said Mr. Robinson.
Current fees

Upgrades to the city's current fields may require the city to raise user rates, which some commissioners think are now too low.

The city charges resident youth groups $10 per hour for a soccer field, and $15 for non-resident groups, according to a report by Community Services Department Director Curtis Brown and Manager Bob Roessler.

The hourly rate for baseball fields is $6 for resident groups and $10 for non-resident groups, according to the report.

Ms. Maurano said the city makes about $20,000 per year from field-use fees, but maintenance costs are around $14,000 for each acre of field space.

"We need to make sure we're doing cost recovery on maintaining our fields," said Mr. Robinson.
Next steps

The task force is putting together a survey for local sports organizers to determine their field needs and whether alterations to current fields will ease the current restrictions.

Both the task force and city staff will continue to explore alternate locations to build playing fields. Highlands proposes building the fields on a tidal marsh at Bayfront Park -- a plan likely to face environmental and permitting complications.

The task force will begin meeting regularly in January, and will post agendas, minutes and staff reports online at menlopark.org.

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