Town Talks Private Use of Public Land

Private groups using public facilities such as Strawberry Fields in Mattituck might soon have to seek alternate locations for events.

At their work session on Tuesday, the Southold town board discussed private use of public lands and parks -- and the wear and tear on grass caused by overuse of public fields.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the town shouldn't be hosting private groups that are earning money on public lands.

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said not all the groups that are using the facilities are local residents; many are heading from points west, he said.

Russell said if a policy is implemented that would put the brakes on private groups utilizing the sites, there might be some "pushback" from baseball camps and other groups.

Jeff Standish, of Southold's department of public works, said issues have arisen at Strawberry Fields in Mattituck concerning groups who use the fields for soccer games. The groups have been using the fields not only on weekends but weekdays, he said.

Other groups, including travel teams that make a profit, have been using Cochran Park, he said.

The board suggested proof of residency be established, with 60 percent of the teams required to be locals from Southold; coaches should be required to provide the town with rosters as proof of residency.

The problem, Standish said, is that the volume of teams playing on town properties is "destroying" the fields. The football field at Cochran Park, he said, cost $3000 to repair.  "You can't have someone there every day," he said.

"Just say no," Russell said.

Standish suggested raising the fees higher for travel teams and non-residents.

Southold Town Councilman Chris Talbot said there is a need townwide for additional fields.

Russell said the land preservation committee has been discussing allowing the use of some preserved lands for recreational purposes in the future.

But the bottom line, Russell said, remains: "We have to decide who we want in the fields -- and should we allow them? Maybe the town should say 'no' to profit-driven events."

He added, "No one wants to say 'no' to the Strawberry Festival, because that brings money to good, local causes. But others don't bring anything to the community."

Profit-driven leagues, he said, might be something the town nixes in the future.

Standish said at Strawberry Fields, one team uses the field from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays, with another team doing the same on Sundays. During the week, "unorganized pickup games" take place. 

"You have guys playing soccer with their work boots on during the week," Talbot said.

Talbot said meetings have been held with local school districts to discuss the possibility of teams using their fields.

Russell said the option of allowing private, profit-driven events to continue exists, but that higher fees could be imposed.

The board decided to revisit the issue at a later date.