Photo Credit: Google Images
(SAN RAMON, CA.) – The San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission voted 7–0 on June 10 to green light a new, community-funded scoreboard for Athan Downs Park. Beyond the new field upgrades, commissioners also reviewed and provided feedback on this year’s Art and Wind Festival.
The approved illuminated scoreboard for Field 3 comes at no cost to local taxpayers. The project is being fully funded by the Bollinger Canyon Little League, which is covering the initial $10,000 to $13,500 in manufacturing costs as well as an estimated $15,000 for lifetime maintenance.
Photo Credit: YouTube
While the project has strong backing, Commissioners Julia Oseland and Vasanth Shetty addressed the concerns submitted via letters by local households.
Oseland said she understands the concerns and noted “we have to be good neighbors and that’s something that I really want us to be especially in this situation.” Speaking on the impact this scoreboard has, Oseland declares, “I really think that they need to have a voice around this, not just in writing but to have a conversation, because I think there is a solution.”
Commissioner Shetty echoed the same thoughts as Oseland and requested, “Based on what Commissioner Julia mentioned, if it’s possible, let's try to work with the residents.”
To ease neighbors’ worries, Program Manager Keith Haase outlined several modifications to the new scoreboard’s design. Because Field 3 lacks stadium lighting, the board will only operate during daylight hours. Additionally, the structure is completely silent, with no attached speakers. Standing at 14 feet, the board is tall enough to clear lawnmowers but low enough to be masked by the surrounding redwood trees. To help it further blend into the landscape, the league has offered to paint the back either forest green or black.
Vice Chair Kyle Levy addresses no further concerns on his part and goes on to praise the Bollinger Canyon Little League. “I think this request is completely in good faith, and its track record of co-sponsorship with the city supports that,” he said. The league has “been a constructive partner that has had a beneficial relationship with the city, and I think that this request is just a reasonable furtherance of that relationship.”
During public comment, California District 57 Little League Administrator Vince Salinas pointed out that a working scoreboard is a mandatory requirement if San Ramon wants to host regional tournaments. “This upgrade shows our players that their hard work deserves a stage they can be proud of. Beyond the pride it brings to our residents, this scoreboard is a practical necessity for our growth as well. To host state-level tournaments here in San Ramon, we are required to have this equipment in place at Athan Downs,” he said.
Salinas goes on to explain how these multi-day events would generate a substantial amount of revenue for the city. “By approving this, we open our gates to bringing in over a hundred families at one state-level tournament. That’s a hundred families frequenting our restaurants, going to the movies, staying in our hotels, that type of thing,” he said.
Photo Credit: YouTube
The commission then moved on to the topic of the Art and Wind Festival that happened over Memorial Day Weekend. While they all admired the impressive turnout and the successful Memorial Day Service at Memorial Park, they discussed areas of improvement for 2027.
Commissioner Partha Mitra advocated for search-enabled digital maps via QR codes to help lost attendees, admitting “it's okay to have paper maps people want to carry with them, but having some way to present the QR code which will take them to the map.”
Both Mitra and Chair Steve Bried brought up times when people went over to ask them where to go and how to get to particular booths, and they had no answers for them. “I just told somebody I got nothing because I didn't know. I had no idea where it was,” Bried said.
Commissioners also suggested bringing back more traditional fine art vendors and youth kite-making kits, which were gone too soon due to high demand.
Commissioner Terry Koehne mentioned the need to monitor field generator fuel levels. “The only downside was the generator running out of juice at the end,” he said, recalling how the final musical performance was disrupted: “We were 10 minutes into it, and they couldn’t play, and usually that's the one that’s kind of the pinnacle, right? You want to end on a high note.”
Despite the power hiccup, Koehne said, “That was a bummer. But other than that, it felt like there were record numbers. It just felt vibrant the whole weekend.”
Division Manager Brad Morris concluded the discussion by thanking the community. “It really takes a village,” Morris said. “We really appreciate the feedback, and we’re really proud that everybody enjoys the day.”
The city is already looking ahead to next year’s event, with planning already underway. “With the Art and Wind Festival behind us, believe it or not, it’s already time to start planning for next year,” Morris said.
For more information on upcoming community events, please visit the San Ramon City Website.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kathleen.p@lead4earth.org or comment below.
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