Lion's Park

Lion's Park

Lions Park, located at Parrish and Barlow Street, includes a playground area, basketball court, 5 ball fields, and a covered pavilion on 10 acres.

Lion's Park is the result of the forethought of City leaders that purchased the property from the Pippin Estate in 1959 for $6,750.  It is thanks to our city founders that we have the facilities that we enjoy today!

Next time you are at the fields, take a minute to read the inscription on the monument in front of the Gordon Barrett Field.  

Ballfield Reservations

Ballfields may be used on a first come, first serve basis or may be reserved online.  The field's are currently being used by the La Vega Baseball and Softball Association on a priority basis for fall practice; therefore reservations must be booked around their fall practice schedule and their game schedules.

America's Pastime

Baseball, often referred to as "America's pastime," is more than just a sport; it's a game that imparts a range of values and life lessons to its participants. Here are some values that playing and participating in baseball/softball can teach:

• Teamwork: Baseball is a team sport that requires collaboration among players, coaches, and staff. Players learn how to work together, communicate effectively, and support each other's efforts to achieve common goals.
• Sportsmanship: Baseball teaches players to respect opponents, officials, and teammates. Demonstrating good sportsmanship, even in the face of defeat, is a crucial value in baseball.
• Perseverance: The game involves a lot of failures, both in batting and pitching. Players learn to cope with strikeouts and errors and continue working hard to improve their skills.
• Patience: Success in baseball often requires waiting for the right pitch, making strategic decisions, and enduring long games. Players learn the importance of patience and staying focused.
• Discipline: Baseball demands consistent practice, adherence to routines, and dedication to improving skills. Players develop discipline and a strong work ethic through their commitment to the sport.
• Resilience: Dealing with losses, errors, and setbacks is a common aspect of baseball. Players learn to bounce back from disappointments, adapt, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Focus and Concentration: Baseball requires intense focus on every play, whether batting, fielding, or pitching. Players learn to concentrate on the task at hand and avoid distractions.
• Time Management: Balancing practices, games, and other commitments teaches players how to manage their time effectively and prioritize tasks.
• Leadership:Baseball provides opportunities for players to take on leadership roles, whether as team captains or by leading by example. Learning how to motivate and guide teammates is a valuable skill.
• Adaptability: Different situations in a baseball game demand varying strategies and tactics. Players learn to adapt to changing conditions and make quick decisions.
• Humility: Despite individual accomplishments, players understand that the success of the team comes first. Humility in victory and graciousness in defeat are important lessons.
• Communication: Effective communication is essential on the baseball field. Players learn to communicate with teammates through signals, calls, and nonverbal cues.
• Accountability: Players are responsible for their actions and performance on the field. They learn to take ownership of mistakes and work towards improvement.
• Work Ethic: Success in baseball is closely tied to the effort and commitment players put into practice and preparation. A strong work ethic translates into better performance and personal growth.
• Camaraderie: Building close relationships with teammates fosters a sense of camaraderie and unity. Players learn to support and uplift each other, creating a positive team environment.
• Strategic Thinking: Baseball is a strategic game involving decisions about when to steal bases, bunt, or make pitching changes. Players develop strategic thinking skills that extend beyond the field.

These values learned through baseball can have a lasting impact on a player's personal and professional life, helping them become well-rounded individuals and effective team players in various aspects of life.

La Vega Baseball and Softball Association (LVBSA)

On March 2, 2020, the City of Bellmead and La Vega Baseball and Softball Association joined together to ensure that the youth of Bellmead have a safe place to PLAY BALL!  LVBSA committed to maintaining the ballfields up to LVBSA play standards during the season and the city committed to providing the necessary resources to maintain the facilities during the off-season. 

LVBSA is also responsible for providing participant indemnification waivers to the city, providing insurance coverage, and completing background checks on all that volunteer with the kids.  These steps ensure a safe and secure environment for the children of Bellmead.

The maintenance responsibilities per the contract are below:

As a city partner LVBSA has enjoyed the use of the fields without the worry of the costs of electricity, water, garbage, or repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. Neighboring fields are either privately owned by the local baseball association or run by the City of Waco through a joint use agreement. 

The City of Bellmead understands the role that ballfields play in a community in ensuring that kids have activities that they can enjoy and teaches them the values noted above. Unfortunately, the city does not have the resources to provide a full recreational program which is why the LVBSA partnership is so valuable. The city also does not have the resources to provide play ready fields and to do so would require a property tax increase. 

A Diamond in the Rough:

City Council approved resolution 2020-27 on March 10, 2020 to provide two 4-row 15' bleachers and six 4-row 21' bleachers to the ballfields which was signed by Mayor Travis Gibson. The city partnered with Sturdisteel that provided the bleachers to the city at wholesale cost of $8136.  Working with Sturdisteel provided considerable savings to the taxpayers of Bellmead and also provided safe seating for all that visit the ballfields of Bellmead.  

City Council also increased park funding at that time and added one additional park maintenance worker which increased total staffing to two maintenance workers dedicated to the parks.

LVBSA board member and City of Bellmead Board of Adjustment member Cameron Gomez made a HUGE contribition to the ballfields in August 2022.  Mr. Gomez contributed a batting cage to the facility complete with turf.  

Shade is always a concern at ballfelds! It gets so hot watching the kids play.  Luckily, LVBSA planted two Monterey Oak trees in October 2022 which should mature into great shade trees. LVBSA has also committed to planting an additional seven crepe myrtle trees which will not only add shade but also color and beauty to the landscape. We look forward to these plantings.

The ballfield lights suffered a theft in the summer of 2022 when it was discovered that a vandal/thief created thousands of dollars of damage to the lights.  The city repaired the lights at a cost of $13,986 so that play could continue.  

Unfortunately, the irrigation system has also suffered over the years.  Each year, the city fixes the system and each year it is broken.  Staff is currently fixing irrigation heads that have been destroyed by mowers, etc., repairing valves, and performing general maintenance.  

The parking area for Lion's Park received a makeover in the summer of 2022.  The entire lot was microsurfaced at a cost of $18,510 and it looks great!  This process will extend the useful life of the lot and provide a better parking surface for all park patrons.  The parking area was completely restriped in the summer of 2023 for a cost of $4,102.

The ballfield grounds saw a remarkable transformation in 2023. The city undertook a comprehensive cleanup endeavor to breathe new life into the complex. Overgrown trees and underbrush that once surrounded the facility was cleared, holes were filled in, trees growing in the ballfield fencing were removed, excess fencing littering the property was removed, excess equipment, a broken bike rack, and other dangerous trip hazards that had been discarded through the property over the years were removed. City crews also uncovered approximately six feet of overgrown parking area and installed a gate over the shed rolling door to provide additional security for stored supplies and equipment.

Our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable space for Bellmead's youth to embrace the joy of baseball remains unwavering.  Watch the video highlighting the spring 2023 cleanup. 

A Gratitude-filled Shoutout:

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners at Public Works. Their invaluable assistance in tackling significant cleanup tasks at the ballfields has been pivotal. They played a pivotal role in consolidating dirt piles, removing old tree stumps, and relocating or disposing of various items from the property. Their dedication and expertise have truly made a monumental impact on the progress we've achieved.

We would also like to thank LVBSA members that removed unused turf and excess LVBSA equipment during our cleanup effort at the ballfields.