Neighbors see the park as one of the last areas of peace and tranquility in the city; youth soccer supporters see the park as one of the last areas where they can find an expanse of "flat grass." The resolve the conflict, the city council has assembled a task force to study the situation and attempt to reach a compromise. We believe there is room for compromise, but we don't hold out much hope for the task force members to come up with a plan that will satisfy both sides of this emotionally-charged issue.

Soccer practices are already being held in Kevin Moran Park. No one is trying to kick soccer out of the facility; the neighbors are simply trying to preserve the trees, the tranquility and the charm of the park. That would seem to be in the best interest of all Saratogans.

Proponents of soccer fields continue to attempt make this a feud between the park's neighbors and youth soccer. They continue to hammer their message that soccer is good for children and that the league is run by volunteers who work long, hard hours to make the program successful.

Well, no one is arguing those points. The benefits of organized sports in general and youth soccer in particular are not at issue here, and no one is questioning the motives or dedication of league volunteers. The question is whether the city of Saratoga should make dramatic changes to Kevin Moran Park—two full-sized soccer fields, a parking area and permanent restrooms—just because it has $400,000 in Capital Improvement funds burning a hole in its pocket.

Soccer is a wonderful activity for youth, no one disputes that. Boys and girls of all ages, of all shapes and sizes and of all ability levels can participate in the game. It's a great sport for kids—no doubt that's why virtually every park and school field in the city is used by soccer organizations already.

AYSO teams currently use the facilities at two city parks, Congress Springs and Kevin Moran. AYSO also uses fields at Argonaut, Foothill, Saratoga and Redwood schools in the Saratoga Union School District; Blue Hills and McAulliffe schools in the Cupertino Union School District; Marshall Lane School in the Campbell Union School District; the old archery field at West Valley College; and the Mormon Church in Saratoga. What's more, CYSA teams use El Quito Park.

That's 12 sites in the city to accommodate the approximately 1,500 children from Saratoga who play in the two leagues. Soccer officials say they need more space.

Kevin Moran Park neighbors counter that there are already soccer practices being held at the facility, and because of narrow streets, limited park access from major roadways and the potential for overcrowding that their park is not the place for such a project. They believe that more soccer will squeeze them out and preclude their attempts to use the park.

Well, a few soccer practices are not going to keep anyone from using the park. There's enough room for neighbors and soccer players to coexist at the facility. Neighbors told the city council that more soccer in Kevin Moran would be "disastrous for the neighborhood," create "chaos" and be "a total nuisance."

That might be a little dramatic. But then, both sides are being a little over-dramatic right now to further their own arguments, which is why the work of the Kevin Moran Task Force is so important.

We believe that there is a middle ground here, but that ground is not more flat grass. The city should add permanent restrooms and some parking, not necessarily for soccer people but for residents who want to use the city-owned facility. The city should not, however, cut down trees and grade the rolling hills to create any more flat space.

Both sides in this issue made good points. At a city council meeting last month, Laura Watkins said, "We have a need for flat grass. We need to find places for these kids to play." That's true. Bob Alley countered by saying, "I'm in favor of Saratoga having a first class sports facility, but I don't think this is the place for it." That's also true.

It makes sense to alter the park so that it is more accessible to the community at large. But to do so at the expense of the park's character, charm and serenity is a mistake.