Lakewood Ranch Neighbors Clash Over $6.4 Million Youth Baseball Field Project at Country Club East Park
Residents in eastern Manatee County are voicing strong opposition to the county’s plan to build three youth baseball fields at Country Club East Park, contending that the project will disrupt the peaceful character of their neighborhood—even as local families struggle with a shortage of youth athletic facilities.
The proposed conversion would transform the existing multi-use field at the 15-acre Country Club East Park, located adjacent to Robert Willis Elementary, into three fully equipped youth baseball fields. The design includes bleachers, dugouts, backstops, perimeter fencing, and expanded parking. The total estimated cost stands at approximately $6.4 million.
County officials and many parents argue that a lack of fields severely hampers the Class‑A youth baseball program. Nearly 200 children were placed on league waitlists in both spring and fall seasons, underscoring the pressing demand for additional facilities.
At a county-hosted workshop on August 18 at the Lakewood Ranch Library, held to discuss this project along with soccer fields at Premier Park and improvements to the Cortez Marina Boat Ramp, the conversation around the baseball fields became the most heated.
A clear divide emerged: parents desperate for accessible youth sports facilities on one side and long-time Country Club East residents on the other.
One parent described the burden of commuting to the Isle area or Palmetto for practice and recalled parents “staying up until midnight” on registration days to avoid waitlists.
Country Club East resident Darrel Drury, who once played youth baseball, said he favors the county’s effort to expand facilities but does not support converting Country Club East Park. He noted that neighbors had not been consulted and suggested alternatives such as bocce courts or walking trails with fitness stations to better preserve the park’s existing character.
Residents argue that the proposal conflicts with the 2021 Manatee County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, which classifies Country Club East Park as a “local park” intended for passive, walk-and-bike use within approximately 1.5 miles of its community. Yet county planners counter that the park serves a broader population countywide, citing similar county‑wide amenities such as the Cortez Marina Boat Ramp.
Some residents feared intrusive lighting and evening commotion. The county clarified that LED lighting will be tightly directed—only reaching 15 to 20 feet beyond field borders—and while lighting infrastructure is designed to remain on until 11 p.m., youth baseball scheduling ends by 9 p.m., with lights shut off promptly at that time. Furthermore, Little League leaders confirmed that there is no public-address system used during games, reducing concerns over noise amplification.
Some residents questioned the project's price point. Officials explained that repurposing the existing park is significantly more cost-effective than other options. Building four fields from scratch at Premier Park—intended to serve high school tournaments and adult programming—would cost around $20 million, compared to $6.4 million for repurposing Country Club East Park.
The project timeline calls for the commissioners to approve the final construction contract by late 2025 or early 2026. Should approval be granted, construction would begin in early 2026 and is expected to take roughly one year.
