Subject: Urgent: Save Lake Grove Fields – Impact on Youth Sports

Dear Lake Oswego School District Board,

On behalf of Lake Oswego Little League and Girls Softball League, we are writing to express our deep concern about the potential loss of Lake Grove fields due to the Long Range Facility Planning Committee’s decisions. Lake Grove is an essential resource for our community’s youth sports programs, and its removal would have severe and lasting consequences.

Loss of Crucial Field Space:

Lake Grove currently houses one of only four softball fields for the Girls Softball League, including the sole field for T-Ball and A Division (ages 4-8). Losing 25% of our softball fields will drastically reduce opportunities for girls to play, learn, and grow through softball. Additionally, Lake Oswego Little League is already facing a shortage of field space. Adding softball teams to the competition for field time will lead to:

• Overcrowding: Practices and games already run from 4 PM to 9 PM under the lights. Further limitations will restrict practice time and the number of games each team can play.
• Scheduling Conflicts: Tournaments, all-star games, and season deadlines cannot be extended to accommodate a lack of fields.
• Increased Weather Delays: Rain early in the season already causes scheduling issues. Less field availability will exacerbate this problem.

Financial Impact on Families:

Removing Lake Grove will force youth sports programs to seek alternative field space, likely leading to increased costs due to competition from club sports. These pay-to-play programs are already creating financial barriers for many families in Lake Oswego Little League. Loss of Lake Grove will only worsen this issue, making it harder for many children to participate.

We understand that the School Board faces difficult decisions regarding long-term facility planning. However, we urge you to consider the full impact of these choices on our community’s youth. Youth sports provide invaluable opportunities for physical activity, teamwork, and personal development. Removing Lake Grove would jeopardize these benefits for countless young athletes.
We ask that you prioritize preserving Lake Grove fields to ensure equitable access to youth sports and protect the well-being of our children. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Kim Mangus
President
Lake Oswego Little League