ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The ball fields in Kirkwood, a cherished site for community gatherings and Little League games, are at the center of a debate between local residents and city officials.

Residents have been urging city leaders for nearly a year to take action to preserve the fields, which hold decades of memories for the community. 

“I initially was surprised but I do know Kirkwood has a lot of recreational assets and parks that they do have to maintain. They do have to balance the capital that is required to do that. And they do a wonderful job with the parks that they have,” said resident Jamie Scott.

Despite assurances from the mayor that the fields are not for sale, concerns about a potential sale persist.

The city has received two unsolicited offers for the land, which has heightened concerns among residents. 

The recent flooding of the fields by the Meramec River has added to the complexity of the situation.

As the community awaits further action from city officials, the future of the Kirkwood ball fields remains uncertain, with residents continuing to advocate for their preservation.

“That’s always on people’s minds, the flooding but I don’t think that’s the livability the city was looking at. They were looking at more injuries and lawsuits from those injuries, things like that,” said Rick Stream.