Next up, baseball field at Maxwell Park?
As the County process to improve Maxwell Farms Regional Park continues with a February 17 public meeting, the lineup of suggested improvements to the 80-acre facility now includes a new Little League field.
The park’s original master plan was created in 1986. Last year, the County began a process to update the plan, adding amenities suggested by the public. Initial ideas ranged from upgrading and lighting the soccer fields to adding a BMX field, a dog park, disc golf and even a community amphitheater.
The facility now includes soccer and baseball fields, a playground, a skate park, picnic areas, tennis and volleyball courts, and 2.5 miles of nature trails. New features would be added as funding allowed.
Since the last public planning meeting, though, Sonoma Little League has lost its home at nearby Paul’s Field. At the end of next season, the field must be vacated to make way for the community pool and housing project planned by Sonoma Splash.
Seeking an alternative home, SLL representatives met with Sonoma Splash, Supervisor Gorin and her staff, Sonoma County Regional Parks, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District and the Boys & Girls Club.
“We feel our best opportunity right now is to propose new ball fields at Maxwell Park,” reads the SLL website. “Our league’s commitment from the beginning was to do everything possible to preserve and protect Paul’s Field. While our options were limited we made sure to explore all of them, including purchasing the field.”
The league faces “the hard truth” that its 60-year run at Paul’s Field will most likely conclude at the end of the 2017 season.
SLL is now focused on new ball fields at the grounds of Maxwell Park. “The County (specifically Supervisor Gorin) is extremely motivated to make this happen,” the SLL statement says. “Supervisor Gorin cannot help us with private land issues but she absolutely can help us with new fields on public land.”
Overall, the workshop is an opportunity for Sonoma Valley residents to review and discuss preliminary concepts and help shape the renovation of the popular park.
The workshop is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Boys and Girls Club, 100 W. Verano Ave., in the Discovery Room. Parking is free, and Spanish translation and child care will be available. In addition to the workshop, community members will also have the opportunity to review and comment on conceptual alternatives online. Materials will be posted after the meeting.
For more information, contact Planner Scott Wilkinson at [email protected] or (707) 565-2734.
