The Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the city continue a trial period to allow adult sports at Emerald Park last week, although many fields will remain off limits to youth use.
The recommendation says the city should use “selective scheduling” for adult use, allowing some parks to be reserved for those over 18, but keeping some fields — two that baseball diamond and Dudley Field – limited to youth.
The commission also recommended that the city continue to acquire land in the area to increase parking at Emerald Park, which was described as a problem that would be exacerbated by the addition of adult games to the park during the public comment period.
Another part of the recommendation is for the city to continue using Steamboat Springs School District fields for scheduled use. Parks and Recreation Director Angela Cosby said talks are in the works, but so far no agreement has been reached for that use.
“I also have a hard time seeing that my mature neighbors have (a) bad presence and don’t need to use the fields,” said commissioner Kelly Bastone. “This is their park, even if they’re over 18.”
The park has long been restricted to youth scheduled use. Adults can come to the park and use the facilities, but they cannot reserve fields under current standards. Part of the appeal to extend use to include adults is that organized field space is limited citywide and will become even smaller next summer when Ski Town Park is closed for stormwater infrastructure maintenance.
But nearby residents and members of the Yampa River Botanic Park board said Emerald is already overused, the parking lot is inadequate and allowing more use would limit opportunities for pick-up games among the community.
Kathy Connell, president of the botanic park board, said 11 members voted against increasing adult use at Emerald Park because of limited parking.
“One ordinance change before fixing an overused parking lot is putting (the cart before the horse),” Connell said. “If anything is tested it should be on a trial basis only so we can get more data.”
Jim Engelken, who lives on nearby Pamela Lane, said he feels the youth use ban is working well and that the commission shouldn’t try to say yes to every request they get.
“The pressures of overpopulation can prevent you from doing everything you want to do,” Engelken said. “Our population is growing and it will continue to grow. We need more open, functional spaces. Walking your dog, having a picnic, playing a pickup game, these are important recreations.
But Fields Brown with the Steamboat Soccer Club said allowing adult use would open up opportunities for more community members.
“I think it’s important that we provide these spaces for everyone,” Brown said. “I think it’s just a win for the community and allows us to provide more for everyone who lives here.”
Commissioner Sam Rush initially made a motion not to recommend any changes to the city council, but it failed to get a second. Rush said he feels they should push to extend adult use to Emerald for a year if field space is compressed by the temporary closure of Ski Town Park.
Commission Chair Calder Young made an extended move to allow adults to apply for a one-year trial period, a tactic the commission has used several times in the past to test the waters before making final decisions. decision. The motion passed 4-1, with Rush opposing. That sends the recommendation to the city council, who can choose to change the ordinance, which requires two votes. The earliest changes could be made in June, Cosby said.
To reach Dylan Anderson, call 970-871-4247 or email danderson@SteamboatPilot.com.