Valley municipalities mull ordinance amendments to solve maintenance issues at Little League fields
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Ringtown Valley Recreation Complex is seen in the background from the Union Township Municipal Building on June 10, 2025.
RINGTOWN – The Ringtown Little League may take over maintenance of their portion of the Ringtown Recreation Complex if proposed ordinance amendments are approved by the borough and Union Township.
It was the subject of lengthy discussions at Monday’s Ringtown Borough Council meeting and Tuesday’s Union Township Supervisors meeting.
Curt Marquardt, a representative of Ringtown Little League, spoke at the Union Township meeting.
Currently, the Ringtown Recreation Committee is responsible for maintenance of the entire Ringtown Recreation Complex off Zion Grove Road in Union Township, just north of the Ringtown borough line. This includes the playground, tennis courts, beach volleyball area, and the Little League and tee ball fields.
Solicitor Bob Matta, who serves both municipalities, said Tuesday that Ringtown Borough is moving to amend their ordinance to “carve out” much of the Little League complex from the committee’s statutory purview. Union Township was asked to consider a similar amendment.
The committee was created by both municipalities by ordinance in 1998 and members of both municipalities serve on it.
Marquardt said there have been issues with maintenance at the Little League field, which in one instance nearly led to an All-Star tournament forfeit.
Prior guidance required the Little League run any maintenance activities through the committee.
“There’s not a lot of cooperation,” Matta said of the current situation.
Marquardt said the lawn maintenance crews who normally handle the field were behind, so volunteers with the Ringtown Little League handled the field as grass grew too high.
“I ended up killing three snakes there at the lower field from how high the grass got,” Marquardt said. “Their guy can only come once a week or once every 12 days.”
Marquardt said that the Little League is bringing fall ball back and they want to bring a slugfest tournament back. The problem is, there is no outfield fence for the tee ball field, precluding it from being used for divisions higher than tee ball.
Supervisor Dave Briggs said he believes allowing the Little League to cut the grass at their fields themselves is a good idea.
Union Township Police Chief Phil Beaver, who is also Ringtown Mayor, chimed in as the latter role.
“Things change over the years. It’s time we should start adapting and rolling forward,” Beaver said. “It’s time.”
Beaver and Matta both commended the work of the committee.
Union Township did not take action on the matter at Tuesday’s meeting and said they would discuss further at the July meeting on July 8. Briggs said he would contact members of the committee.
The committee is still seeking members from Ringtown Borough. If you live in Ringtown Borough and would like to serve, contact borough hall.
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