The Central Question

DYSA has demonstrated why its organization wants additional, more reliable field capacity.

What has not been demonstrated is why Pinewood Elementary or Madison Park needs this project.

DYSA stated that current Pinewood student participation in its league is “close to zero". Residents have not been provided data demonstrating that Madison Park needs even one baseball field, much less a multi-field dedicated league baseball facility.

At the same time, the requested independent studies evaluating traffic, parking, noise, stormwater, and environmental impacts have not been completed or committed to.

Madison Central Park currently provides flexible-use space for Pinewood Elementary students, neighborhood families, informal recreation, gatherings, and open play. Children already use this space every day.

The choice isn't between baseball fields and children having nowhere to play. Children already play here. The question is whether flexible space available for many kinds of play should be converted into dedicated league fields used for one sport.

Converting that space to specialized organized-league use should occur only after the need, benefits, impacts, site suitability, and reasonable alternatives have been evaluated.

A Commitment Made to This Community

Meeting notes from the establishment of Madison Central Park in 2010 document that CMS stated organized sports fields would not be allowed, specifically citing potential negative impacts on the surrounding community, including traffic.

The park was created via a $50,000 matching grant from the City of Charlotte where the city <Taxpayers> provided $25,000 while the neighborhood community provided $25,000 worth of volunteer hours to get the park created. 

That history matters.

Before a fundamentally different use of Madison Central Park moves forward, residents are asking CMS to consider the assurances made when this community space was established and the reasons behind them.

Why Residents Are Concerned

Residents did not learn about this proposal through a community planning process. Neighbors began asking questions after discovering survey stakes in Madison Central Park. See the Timeline for the community’s repeated efforts to obtain information, understand the process, and have a meaningful seat at the table. 

Since then, residents have requested information regarding:

• Demonstrated need among Pinewood and Madison Park families

• Traffic and parking impacts

• Noise

• Stormwater

• Wildlife and environmental impacts

• Frequency and intensity of organized league use

• Site suitability

• Alternative locations

• Protections against future expansion

• CMS' review and approval process

These questions are not about opposition to youth sports.

They are about whether permanently converting flexible school and neighborhood space is the appropriate solution to DYSA's broader need for additional field capacity.

Five Fast Facts

Fact 1 :   Fully executed agreement: up to 3 fields + Batting cages + Associated athletic infrastructure

Fact 2 : 68% of Pinewood's original open space has already been lost since 2010

Fact 3 : Remaining open space would shift from flexible community use to scheduled, dedicated athletic use 

Fact 4: 15 baseball diamonds already exist within 5 miles of this location

Fact 5: Comparable multi-field DYSA sites are generally located in less residential areas, on larger parcels, and with greater separation from homes