Why This Petition Matters
For more than two decades, Sandtown Park has served as a cornerstone of youth development in South Fulton. Through football, baseball, and track programs, thousands of young people have benefited from opportunities that promote academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership, discipline, and community engagement.

Recent plans to expand soccer facilities at Sandtown Park have raised serious concerns among families, coaches, volunteers, and community stakeholders. Most notably, we have learned that park improvements may reduce available parking and further limit access to fields already facing capacity challenges.

What is most concerning is that these changes were not clearly communicated during ongoing discussions with Parks and Recreation stakeholders, despite the significant impact they could have on existing programs that have served Sandtown for generations.

 
Our Concerns
Reduced Access and Limited Space
Space has always been a challenge at Sandtown Park. Since 2005, football and baseball organizations have worked together to maximize field usage and accommodate growing participation.

To address facility shortages, our organizations have invested additional resources to secure access to facilities at:

Westlake High School
Sandtown Middle School
These partnerships require significant financial commitments but have been necessary to continue serving local youth.

Despite these efforts, we are now facing the possibility of losing additional space and parking capacity at Sandtown Park.

Unequal Allocation of Resources
Over the past two years:

Our programs have been charged for access to fields that we were subsequently unable to use.
The rear field historically available to football activities has become increasingly restricted.
Clintondale facilities have been allocated exclusively to the soccer program.
An additional soccer complex has been in existence near Welcome All Road.
While we support opportunities for all youth sports, we believe resource allocation should be equitable and reflect the needs of the entire community.

Protecting Longstanding Community Programs
The Sandtown football, baseball, and track programs have consistently operated at or near capacity, providing opportunities to hundreds of local families every season.

Our programs:

Have never turned participants away due to lack of interest.
Have helped student-athletes earn educational opportunities.
Provide mentorship and positive role models.
Foster community pride and engagement.
Serve as the official feeder program for Westlake High School south of Interstate 20.
These accomplishments represent years of dedication by volunteers, parents, and community supporters.

 
What We Are Requesting
We respectfully call upon Fulton County Parks and Recreation and local leadership to:

Pause any decisions that would reduce parking capacity or limit access for existing programs until a comprehensive community review is completed.
Conduct a transparent community engagement process that includes residents, parents, coaches, alumni, and stakeholders.
Ensure equitable allocation of park facilities among all youth sports programs.
Preserve field access for football, baseball, and track programs with a demonstrated history of serving Sandtown families.
Prioritize the needs of Fulton County residents when allocating public recreational resources.
Develop a long-term facility plan that supports the growth of all youth sports without negatively impacting existing programs.
 
Our Commitment
Our goal is not to oppose soccer or prevent its growth. We support opportunities for all young athletes. Our concern is ensuring that decisions affecting Sandtown Park are made transparently, fairly, and with the best interests of the community in mind.

Sandtown Park's legacy was built through decades of community investment. We believe future improvements should strengthen opportunities for all youth, not diminish access for programs that have long served the community.

 
Sign This Petition
If you believe Sandtown Park should continue to provide equitable access for football, baseball, track, and all youth sports programs, please sign this petition and share it with fellow community members, alumni, families, and stakeholders.

Together, we can ensure that Sandtown Park remains a place where all young people have the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Learn more about our programs at:
www.westlakejrlions.com

Petition Organizer:
Reginald Stewart
Westlake Junior Lions

Co-Organizer:
Sherard Bunkley
Westlake Junior Lions Football Program

#SaveSandtownPark #SupportYouthSports #WestlakeJuniorLions #CommunityFirst