Parks and Recreation Department Recommends Review of Contracts Governing City Playgrounds

Austin Parks and Recreation Board Votes Unanimously recommend that the City Council will conduct a due diligence review of all contracts associated with dozens of city-owned baseball and soccer fields.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department often contracts with outside entities to manage, maintain and operate some city-owned baseball and soccer fields. The recommended review will review current contracts, identify participating organizations, and outline public access conditions, including public notice and availability of fields. It will also evaluate contract compliance, focusing on penalties for violations and contract termination procedures related to community access issues.

The city can save money by contracting with different entities, said board member Lane Becker. “The problem is that some of these contracts have very long terms and some of them don’t seem to have necessarily been written as specifically as they need to be. “In addition, some of them were signed for a very long period of time, and since then the situation on the ground has changed.”

Baseball Working Groupcreated this summer, identified problems with access to both baseball and soccer fields related to the long-term contracts governing those fields. The task force’s concerns about structural issues that created barriers for residents and local leagues to access the fields prompted board members to put forward a recommendation for a vote. Local leagues have expressed frustration with restrictions that prevent adults from sharing fields with youth sports organizations, and some board members have expressed dissatisfaction with access points to the fields.

“When you see that there are instances where fields are not being used, or there is an opportunity for repair, maintenance and operational support that continues to come up again and again, it’s certainly worth exploring,” board member Stephanie Bazan said. “We just want to see the data and be able to move forward and be better for our city.”

“Seeing these facilities struggle and us helping them can enhance the experience of youth organizations in the community,” said Joel Manzo, one of the community members associated with Austin Sandlot Baseball and a member of the task force.

Becker emphasized that the audit is not intended to identify “bad actors,” but rather to examine the scope and wording of contracts to develop more effective partnerships that serve the community as it evolves over time.

Local residents and field users strongly supported this recommendation.

“It has tremendous value not only for the adults, but for the families that will be able to use the property,” said Austin resident Justin Graber. He advocated for “examining contracts to ensure they are fair and give everyone a fair chance to rent” through transparent booking processes.

Board Chairman Pedro Villalobos said he hopes this audit process will improve the availability of field facilities while ensuring the city maintains strong partnerships with organizations that serve the city and its residents.

“There has to come a time when we tell all these organizations — which I believe have good intentions — that your supposed good intentions are preventing the community from accessing these spaces,” Villalobos said.

Photo available via Creative Commons license.

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