Title
Orange Memorial Park Sports Field Update (Michael Mulkerrins, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor, Rentals and Sports Program)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on operations at the Orange Memorial Park Sports Field, opened in October 2023.
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Orange Memorial Park Sports Field opened on October 18, 2023. The field is a multi-use, synthetic turf field that is primarily used for soccer, baseball, and softball. The current permitted co-sponsored group use for this complex is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. by the South San Francisco Youth Baseball Managers Association (SSFYBMA), and Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. by the South San Francisco United Youth Soccer League (SSFUYSL). The weekends are split between both groups for game play. Public open hours are currently 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and weekends when games are not scheduled. The field is closed on Fridays for maintenance by the Parks Division.
In April, the Parks and Recreation Department will begin a City-sponsored co-ed softball league on Mondays and Tuesdays. This will result in the relocation of the two co-sponsored groups to other City-maintained grass fields that they also use throughout the year in addition to the Orange Memorial Park Sports Field. Currently, Brentwood and Avalon Field are closed due to downed trees and saturated grass from recent rains.
As wonderful as the new sports complex is, it does come with its challenges. The fencing and goal posts are constantly needing to be moved to accommodate practice schedules. Staff have experimented with having both youth soccer and baseball split the field for simultaneous game play. Unfortunately, that did not work as the unpredictable flight paths of soccer and baseballs encroaching into the other areas became a safety concern. Staff have also tried having open...
Click here for full text