Douglas County Parents Call for More Sports Fields Before Fairgrounds Town Hall

As Douglas County grows, parents of young athletes say their children need more fields to play on. They are concerned that possible renovations to the Douglas County Fairgrounds could make the problem worse.

“When it comes to practices and games, we are facing an extreme shortage of fields,” said Brad Wright, Parker’s father and volunteer youth league coach for his daughter’s softball team and his son’s baseball team.

“He’s tough on me, but he’s fun,” said Wright’s son, Austin.

Austin and his 11-year-old teammates noticed the impact of the limited fields.

“Sometimes when you train, other teams come and have to share the field with you because they have the same amount of time as you,” Austin said.

Wright says his team travels long distances to play and deals with frequent cancellations.

“You’re going to have camps that open or get canceled, so you’re going to have to scramble to find another one. Practices are going to be canceled to make room for games. Games are always going to be a priority,” Wright said.

Colorado weather is responsible for many cancellations. Wright says when there are so few fields, and many are natural grass, it compounds the problem.

The shortage also limits the number of children who can participate.

“Currently, we are moving children away from something that takes them away from home, away from their electronic devices. If you had availability in other areas, it would really give kids more options,” Wright said.

Douglas County is considering renovating the fairgrounds to expand space for the county fair. One possibility being considered is moving the rodeo arena to the area now occupied by the fairgrounds’ football fields, effectively getting rid of the fields.

Concern over the loss of the three lighted fields has local youth sports leagues urging parents to contact county commissioners and advocate against that option.

“Write a letter, write a letter now,” Wright said.

Commissioner Lora Thomas says if they decide to move the arena, they will build fields elsewhere. She’s suggesting building some at Wildcat Reserve Regional Park in Highlands Ranch.

Thomas says funds from a sales tax extended by voters two years ago, and earmarked for parks, could be used to build fields.

“I think we want more space for families to enjoy what a lot of us moved here for, which is the outdoors,” Wright said.

Wright would like to see new fields installed that are multi-use, have lights and are astroturf.

Wright says youth leagues also face the challenge of a lack of volunteers and rising costs. Wright says fees associated with gambling have increased by 25 to 30 percent in the past year.

“Less fields, less resources, more kids who want to play, prices going up, everything is gravitating toward a bad scenario for kids, and really, kids who want to play should be able to play,” Wright said.

There will be a live town hall discussing the future of the fairgrounds on Thursday, May 16 at 6 p.m. Commissioner Thomas says a consultant will present his master plan outlining different options. Many youth sports parents say they plan to attend and make their voices heard.

See how to join the City Council:

• In person at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock
• Online at douglas.co.us/townhall
• By phone by calling 833-380-0668, or answer the phone when the county calls just before 6 p.m. To sign up for a call, visit douglas.co.us/townhall.