New Sports Fields in the Works for Skyview Park

Citing shifting demographics and needs in Inver Grove Heights, city officials are considering replacing two baseball diamonds in with an equal number of rectangular recreation fields.

The proposed project came up for discussion last week at the Inver Grove Heights City Council work session. City Parks and Recreation Director Eric Carlson estimated after the meeting that re-grading the fields and installing irrigation systems could cost as much as $150,000. The city, which may partner with youth soccer and football associations and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, would likely pay a fraction of that amount, Carlson said.

The city could save additional money, Carlson said, if the field regrading is done in conjunction with an extensive street reconstruction project scheduled to take place in the adjacent South Grove neighborhood this summer. Dirt from the street project, Carlson said, could be used in the regrading, which would free the city from purchasing additional topsoil for the fields.

The two proposed rectangular fields, City Administrator Joe Lynch said, could be used for a variety of sports, including soccer, football or lacrosse. If approved, the project could be complete as early as 2013.

With 29 baseball and softball fields in the community, Inver Grove Heights has an over-abundance of baseball diamonds and a shortage of other sports fields, Lynch said. The growth of minority communities in Inver Grove Heights means demand for the baseball fields has declined, Lynch and Carlson added.

"The newcomers to the community aren’t as interested in baseball and softball, and are a little more interested in lacrosse and soccer," Carlson said. "In looking at the demand of the community and how the park sustem is being used, we’ve decided that baseball and softball use seems to be flat, and we have enough facilities to meet demand."

The issue was first identified several years ago when the city adopted a comprehensive parks plan and development guide, Carlson said. Since then, Carlson added, the city has sent letters to 100 residents living close to Skyview Park to solicit input and feedback.

The city plans to hold a public hearing on the plans at 6pm on March 1 at the Veterans Memorial Community Center, Carlson said. The meeting will be an opportunity for members of the community to weigh in on the proposal.