Officials and supporters of Elm Street Little League articulated their concerns over the city deciding to relocate pétanque courts on Joe Velardi Field behind the Atlantic Rec Center.
City Commissioners approved a plan to build 16 regulation pétanque courts at Joe Velardi Field after being told youth baseball and softball players didn't need the facilities.
Speakers Tuesday at the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting said they were unaware of the proposal and blindsided by the commission's decision to replace the field with pétanque courts.
Miranda Ivey, president of Elm Street Little League, told the committee the league uses Joe Velardi Field on a regular basis.
"Elm Street Little League only has two fields right now. We were using Joe Velardi at least three times a week during season. We have eight teams," she said.
Ivey said they could use the field at the Peck Center but "the field is not little league approved. There's no fence, There's no restrooms, no sitting, no dugouts. I don't know what other fields we're going to be able to use. We need that field (Joe Velardi) in order to be successful in what we do."
Cason Zylinski was concerned about her daughter's ability to participate in softball.
"It's shocking (the loss of Joe Velardi). I didn't realize how big the girls' softball community was until my daughter started playing. They fight for field use every single night," she said. "I know people like looking at open green space, but there's no way that can be as impactful as taking a field away from youth now and for years to come. There are hundreds of other options (for the pétanque courts). This is a mistake, and we need to reevaluate this."
Mike Stone said parents were notified of the loss of Joe Velardi Field at a league meeting Monday night.
"I have no problem with pétanque. But there should be proportionality for the facilities provided so the community is served equitably that way," Stone said.
Leslie Andree, who has been involved with Elm Street Little League for seven years, asked "why would we take away another place these kids have to play. Maybe Joe Velardi Field doesn't stay a baseball diamond forever. But it doesn't mean it doesn't become a football practice area or some other piece the youth uses. Taking away another piece from these kids is not OK guys."
Board member Sheila Cocchi said she opposed moving the pétanque courts to Joe Velardi Field and hoped future decisions regarding facilities would be considered of how all sports are impacted.
"I have not been happy to see the kind reactionary movements that we are making to make some of these decisions and the people they then impact," she said. "I'm hoping we can work better with longer term planning in the future so that when you're taking generations of people enjoying these parks and what they're going to do so when you transition from the excitement of skateboarding, you might want to be hanging out at the pétanque courts."
Member Elise Pearlstine said she appreciated hearing from the Elm Street Little League representatives.
"I hope something works out for them, so they don't lose their playing space," she said.
Andree told the Observer that Elm Street Little League and other youth organizations were planning on attending the Aug. 21 City Commission meeting in hopes of convincing commissioners to reverse their decision on Joe Velardi Field.
If it ain't broke, why does the city commission feel the need to fix things? Folks were happy with the petanque courts downtown. Kids were playing on Joe Velardi field three times a week. And then it all got upended. Please vote, folks. This is episode is proof that your vote really does matter.