Auburn to relocate downtown ballpark

So Duncan said the city’s parks and leisure commission recommended approval of both proposals.

The new ballpark would be developed on about 15 of the 20 acres the city owns off Parks Mill Road. The remaining five acres will be occupied by the city’s public works operations, which also are being moved out of downtown.

NEW BALL PARK

The new ballpark will have five fields: one with a fence 300 feet from home plate for use by 13-year-old and 14-year-old Pony League players as well as an adult softball league; two Little League fields with 200-foot fences; one “coach pitch” field with a 140-foot fence; and one T-ball field with a 125-foot fence.

Duncan said the ballpark also would have more parking, a new concession stand and two new restrooms.

City Councilman Bob Vogel, who is president of the Auburn Dixie Youth Baseball Softball league, said having the larger field would be a boost for the entire program.

“It stops my limitations,” he said. “Right now, I have multi-child families, and when I lose older boys, I lose the siblings too, who might be younger.

“Twelve-year-olds have had to go to the Pony League in bigger parks. This gives us the flexibility to carry these kids up to high school.”

The Dixie Youth league is partnering with the city government by purchasing the fence for the new field, he said.

The relocation of the downtown ballpark will open up space for the Parks Family Sports Complex.

“A long-term goal is to be able to put in new basketball, tennis and volleyball courts to expand local sports,” Duncan said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a gymnasium there too.”

6TH STREET PARK

The concept plan for the new 6th Street Park includes multiple garden plots, a large greenhouse, a gazebo, parking and a dog park at the back of the tract.

The community garden would not be relocated until after the summer growing season.

Duncan said its new location would make it more accessible to Auburn Elementary School for educational purposes and also would be closer to the community.

At its July 1 meeting, the city council also is scheduled to vote on an amendment to the Rental Policies Manual for the community gardens.

The amendment will cut in half the current $50 fee for the rental of a 4-foot by 8-foot garden bed.

The new fee would cost $25.