My father proposed an interesting idea the other day. Lincoln needs more high-quality high school soccer fields, and it could probably use more football fields as well. But where could they go, and who would own them?
My dad's solution is to place them in Seacrest Park at 70th and A and have either LPS or a joint LPS/City partnership run them:
His argument is that Seacrest Park doesn't serve much purpose right now. It's greenspace, yes, but greenspace that isn't particularly well utilized. Putting two or three sports fields in there would retain the openness while filling a community need. Parking and other infrastructure are already present so those costs are significantly less than they might otherwise be.
I think it's an interesting idea. It's significantly cheaper than some other ideas currently floating around -- such as the long-rumored sports fields near Haymarket Park.
What's your take on the idea?
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I don’t know about the quantity of football fields, but I would say Lincoln has plenty of soccer fields. There’s Abbott, Wright Park, the two full-sized city fields at Densmore, Den Hartog field, plus there are still some fields at Air Park. Possibly we could use more city-owned fields that are open to anybody, but the problem is soccer is too disorganized in Lincoln and none of the soccer entities get along well enough to collaborate.
I forgot to mention Spirit park behind State Farm.
I’m talking about full-sized, “championship quality” fields available for high school matches, not just general use fields. Ideally they would be lighted; 120 yards by 75-80 yards; and artificial turf or high-quality grass. Seacrest is the best qualifier in Lincoln.
Abbott’s quality varies substantially. On average it’s acceptable but not great. Field size is also a problem at Abbott. Fields 13-16, for example, are too narrow. I can’t for the life of me remember if 17-19 are the same width or if they’re wider.
Wright Park is a youth complex so it’s out.
I’m not sure why the high schools don’t use Densmore. Those fields, in general, aren’t much different in quality from the fields at Abbott. I can’t remember their dimensions but I don’t recall having any complaints.
Den Hartog is a poor field. It’s low quality, covered in rocks, and on the narrow side. Good parking, though.
The fields at Air Park are terrible quality. Or at least they were the last time I was out there. If somebody were to fix up those fields Air Park would make a fine place for a sports complex for any sport.
I’m mixed on Spirit Park. It can be a nice place to play, but quality has been shaky over the past couple years. LPS barely utilizes it right now. I don’t know if that’s because of field availability, cost, or other factors.
LPS also plays some guys at Beechner. Beechner is ok, if narrow. Not much they can do about that without rebuilding the entire track.
Awesome idea.
You might want to cross reference this address (70th & A) with the short list of potential locations for the new LPS district offices that was announced at the board meeting Tuesday night. Sounds like that same spot might be a front runner. We’ll all find out soon enough, I believe they want to decide on the location very soon.
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