Park neighbors oppose new soccer field

Apalachicola residents who live near the DW Wilson Sports Park in Apalachicola have renewed their objections to a planned soccer field at the park.

Jimmy Rickards, who lives near the proposed soccer field, provided the county commission with a petition this week signed by residents along Gibson Road who oppose putting the soccer field near their homes.

Mister Rickards raised concerns about traffic and noise.

He also pointed out that because of a lack of parking, spectators use the neighboring cemetery as a parking lot.

Mister Rickards said the land in question was supposed to be used as an extension of the Stone Hill cemetery until the county put a sports complex there.

He recommended that the county take a closer look at the old Apalachicola High School football field, which is now city property.

Another neighbor, Ron Martina, also raised concerns about whether the property was even suited for a soccer field since it tends to flood.

County administrator Alan Pierce said they are looking at another site for the soccer field – though it would still be at DW Wilson Park.

The County Commission has agreed to have a soccer field in place in Apalachicola by next fall for the local youth soccer program and hopes to receive state grant money to help cover the costs of the work.

There is a quickly growing youth soccer program in the county, but local teams generally have to travel to play because out of county teams won’t play on our substandard fields.

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