The new children’s play area at Golden Eagle Regional Park is just the right size for the toddler crowd. Smedes photo.

SPARKS, NV – The new field added to the City of Sparks Golden Eagle Park is not for adults or even big kids. It’s made for the younger, toddler sized crowd. The new playground, made to look like a very small softball field, has been constructed and is ready for the youngsters to play on once the season starts. The play structure is named after city Councilman John Mayer for his lifelong commitment to recreation and education in the Sparks area.
But if you were looking forward to having a burger or a beer at the upstairs restaurant and sports bar at Golden Eagle Regional Park however, you’ll just have to wait. The Sparks Parks and Recreation department is being affected by city-wide budget cuts this year, which means no new improvements at the Sparks park-- including the sports bar, which won‘t open until at least 2010.
“There were no more major sports improvements planned for Golden Eagle in 2009,” said Tony Pehle, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Sparks. “But because of the current financial situation, there probably won’t be any significant improvements at all this year.”
The parks and recreation department’s budget was cut by over $100,000 since the 2008 fall softball season. The department had to let go of seven full- and part-time employees that work at Golden Eagle. Luckily for players, the budget cuts shouldn’t put a big dent in their wallets.
There may be a small increase in Sparks city softball league registration starting this summer, but that will likely be the only extra fee to help combat the budget cuts. Many softball facilities around the west are charging a gate fee, but you won’t see that happen at Golden Eagle.
“We want Golden Eagle to have a family atmosphere. We don’t want families to have to pay to watch their parents, sons or daughters play ball,” said Pehle.
Although the cuts have halted any major improvements for now, nets will soon be put up in front of scoreboards to help stop homerun balls from knocking out fuses and lights.
There may not be any more improvements for some time, but the 2009 softball season at Golden Eagle promises to be an exciting one, with over two dozen tournaments in Sparks from March through November.