Every week, hundreds of families, players, and visitors travel to the Smithfield Soccer Fields and nearby recreational areas at Nike Park. These fields are a source of pride for our community, but the roads leading to them tell a very different story. Instead of a welcoming entrance, visitors are met with potholes, dust clouds, and rough conditions that damage vehicles and diminish the experience.

In the past, temporary fixes like spreading gravel have been applied multiple times, but these cosmetic solutions never last. Within weeks, the dust returns, the potholes deepen, and the cycle begins again—wasting resources and leaving the community frustrated.

On busy weekends, when teams arrive from across the region, the problem only grows. Dust impacts air quality for children and families, and poor road conditions leave visitors with a negative impression of our county. For facilities designed to showcase youth sports and community pride, the current access roads send the wrong message.

We, the undersigned, urge local officials to make paving these roads a priority. A lasting solution will:

• Improve safety and reduce vehicle damage.
• Eliminate excessive dust and protect air quality.
• Create a more welcoming environment for visiting families and teams
• Reflect the pride we take in our children, our facilities, and our community.
• Provide better access for emergency services to these public areas.
• Increase handicap-accessible parking and ensure inclusive access for all.
• This long-overdue investment will improve safety, boost our county’s image, and make every game day better for all.

We respectfully request that county leaders act now to pave the roads to the Smithfield Soccer Fields and recreational facilities at Nike Park.