Brandy Park - Vision & Master Plan

Lakeland Youth Softball is working with the Brandy Park Commission to develop Brandy Park into a permanent home for softball in the Lakeland area.

The goal is to create a safe, well-maintained and tournament-capable complex that supports recreational softball, competitive teams, player development and broader community use.

The current master plan is a working vision. It will continue to evolve as existing conditions are evaluated, projects are designed, funding is identified and individual improvements are reviewed with the Brandy Park Commission.

Our long-term goal is a high-quality three-field softball complex supported by the practice, maintenance and game-day facilities needed for a growing youth softball program.

The plan is centered around:

• One approximately 275-foot field
• Two approximately 200-foot fields
• Batting and pitching cages
• Practice and warm-up space
• Permanent concessions
• Improved irrigation and turf
• Field-maintenance equipment and storage
• Improved lighting, electrical and access systems
• Facilities capable of hosting multiple tournaments each summer

Brandy Park already provides an important foundation, including two existing fields, parking, restrooms and a central pavilion area.

Rather than starting from scratch, the first phase of the project focuses on improving these existing assets.

For the 2027 season, LYS is working toward:

• Improving the existing 200-foot field
• Converting the larger field to approximately 275 feet
• Improving grading and playing surfaces
• Eliminating ground-squirrel and other safety hazards
• Evaluating and improving irrigation
• Repairing dugouts and field infrastructure
• Adding proper field-preparation equipment and storage
• Constructing a permanent concession stand

Our goal is not simply to make the fields playable. We want Brandy Park to become a place where players, coaches and families want to play.

Once the existing facilities are operating at a higher standard, the next major phase is expected to include a third 200-foot softball field.

Additional improvements may include:

• Batting and pitching cages
• Dedicated practice areas
• Scoreboards
• A field-maintenance building
• ATV/UTV and equipment storage
• Additional spectator and tournament improvements
• Parking and circulation improvements

The timing and final layout of these improvements will depend on use, funding, site conditions and coordination with other activities currently using Brandy Park.

Better facilities create more than additional field space.

A permanent home gives LYS the ability to provide more consistent practices, develop better training opportunities and support players as they progress from recreational softball into competitive play.

LYS is working to strengthen competitive opportunities at the 10U, 12U and 14U levels while continuing to support recreational softball and long-term player participation.

Improved practice facilities will also give coaches more opportunities to develop players outside of normal game schedules.

A major long-term goal is for Brandy Park to host multiple youth softball tournaments each summer.

A three-field complex with concessions, restrooms, warm-up areas and appropriate support facilities would allow more LYS teams to compete locally while welcoming visiting teams and families to the Lakeland area.

Tournament use also creates opportunities to generate revenue that can be reinvested into the softball program and continued facility improvements.

Brandy Park will remain a public recreational facility overseen by the Brandy Park Commission.

LYS is working toward becoming the primary softball user and operating partner while allowing the complex to support other appropriate community activities when capacity permits.

Potential secondary uses may include youth baseball, adult softball, clinics, camps and other recreational programs.

The long-term goal is not simply to build softball fields. It is to improve Brandy Park as a community asset.

The current focus is developing a strong three-field complex.

After those facilities are established and operating, LYS and the Brandy Park Commission can evaluate whether additional changes would improve tournament operations, spectator flow, parking or overall use of the park.

A possible fourth field may be studied in the future if participation and demand justify additional expansion. It is not currently a committed project.

This vision is intended to guide the project, not lock Brandy Park into a final design today.

The plan will continue to change as:

• Existing conditions are better understood
• Engineering and utility needs are evaluated
• Project costs are developed
• Funding and sponsorship opportunities become available
• Other park users provide input
• The Brandy Park Commission reviews and approves individual improvements

Reasonable near-term improvements can continue while the longer-term plan is refined.