Title
Recommend the relocation of Alameda Little League (ALL) “Majors” division from Littlejohn Park to Lower Washington Park for Fall 2026 and Tillman Park for Spring 2027 following the approved “Athletic Facility Allocation Policy”.
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Parks Commission
From: Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director
BACKGROUND
In October 2025, Alameda Little League (ALL) approached Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) staff to discuss field usage for the 2026 spring season. ALL indicated the need for a field to support their “Majors” age group due to the removal of one field for the reconstruction of Wood Middle School campus. ALL needed a field to accommodate eight teams with a total of 96 players. ALL teams have both male and female players.
The Littlejohn Park baseball field was identified for a one-year trial due to the size of the infield and minimal impact on other user groups since ALL has been permitted for the last three years to use Littlejohn baseball field six (6) days a week for their younger age groups.
ARPD held two community meetings to discuss the change in usage from a younger age group to the 10-12 year old division. One community meeting took place in December 2025 and the second was held in January 2026. To advertise the meeting, ARPD placed fliers at the park, online, emailed all ARPD user groups and for the January meeting, also posted fliers at all residences surrounding the park. The community feedback focused on three themes: safety, parking, and community park access.
ARPD received direction from Council to review alternative opportunities for ALL “Majors” division to move from the current location of Littlejohn Park.
DISCUSSION
ARPD received direction from City Council to evaluate alternative locations for ALL Majors Division in lieu of continued use of Littlejohn Park. To reduce impacts on the surrounding neighborhood while preserving public access to the park, ARPD conducted a review of potential alternative sites. The evaluation considered both an immediate solution for the Fall 2026 season and a longer-term location for Spring 2027 and beyond. ARPD is no longer seeking a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ALL for exclusive use of Littlejohn Park.
For the Fall 2026 season, ARPD recommends relocating ALL Major Division games to Lower Washington Park (LW) Exhibit 1. The facility is well suited to accommodate weekday and weekend practices and games and has a demonstrated history of supporting adult softball, high school softball, and youth softball programs. Based on recent field allocation data and the absence of Encinal High School softball during the fall season, this relocation would not impact other Alameda-based youth organizations with the same priority classification as ALL.
Beginning in Spring 2027, with the return of Encinal High School softball to Lower Washington Park, ARPD proposes relocating ALL Majors Division practices and games to Tillman Park (TP) Exhibit 2. The field dimensions at TP are compatible with Majors Division play, and recent allocation data indicates that weekend use can be accommodated without affecting other Alameda-based organizations of equal priority. However, weekday field availability for other community groups, including Alameda Girls Softball and Alameda Soccer Club, could be impacted.
As a long-term solution, ARPD recommends exploring an additional baseball diamond on the north side of the Alameda Point Multi-Purpose Field. The existing site has sufficient space to accommodate a regulation-size diamond while maintaining capacity for other user groups, including St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, to conduct practices and competitions concurrently. The location also benefits from nearby accessible restroom facilities and ample parking to support increased field use.
To maximize flexibility, a temporary outfield fence could be installed, allowing the remaining field area to continue supporting activities such as soccer and ultimate frisbee when baseball diamonds are not in use. Based on historical field allocations, the addition of a diamond at Alameda Point Multi-Purpose Field would not impact organizations with the same priority classification as ALL during weekends. Similar to TP, however, weekday availability for other Alameda-based organizations, including users of the adjacent Alameda Point Multi-Purpose Field, could be affected.
Although the proposed diamond is intended to address the needs of ALL Majors Division, it would remain available for shared community use. The additional field capacity would provide valuable recreation space for other organizations, including Alameda Girls Softball and other Alameda-based user groups, while expanding programming opportunities and helping meet the growing demand for athletic facilities citywide.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the recommendation to relocate Alameda Little League (ALL) “Majors” division to Lower Washington Park for Fall 2026 and Tillman Park for Spring 2027.
• Provide direction to explore other specific park locations for ALL “Majors” division.
• Recommend staff explore other alternatives and return with additional recommendations for the location of ALL “Majors” division.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact relocating the “Majors” division at LW for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 at Tillman Park. The exploration of adding an additional baseball diamond, fencing, backstop, and dugouts would have a financial impact. ARPD would have to allocate funding from existing sources which could delay other prioritized park improvements.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of this resolution is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act in that it relates to administrative activities of the City that will not result in direct or indirect physical impacts on the environment and hence, no environmental review is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend the relocation of Alameda Little League (ALL) “Majors” division from Littlejohn Park to Lower Washington Park for Fall 2026 and Tillman Park for Spring 2027 following the approved “Athletic Facility Allocation Policy” Exhibit 3.
Respectfully submitted,
Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director
Exhibits:
1. Lower Washington Park
2. Tillman Park
3. Athletic Facility Allocation Policy