FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2024
Contact: Kevin G. McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) introduced a bill to transfer 11 ballfields located at the Navy’s Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) San Pedro to the Cities of Los Angeles and Lomita. The DFSP ballfields have been used and maintained by nonprofit organizations such as the San Pedro Girls Softball Association, the San Pedro Athletic Complex, and the Lomita Little League for nearly 50 years.
In June of 2020, the Secretary of Defense issued a memo stating that the Department of Defense (DoD) would no longer provide non-reimbursable support to non-DoD entities. As a result, the Navy informed local organizations that it would dramatically increase the user fees for the DFSP ballfields at 2981 N. Gaffey Street and 3181 N. Gaffey Street in San Pedro, and 26800 S. Western Avene in Lomita, effectively pricing out the organizations and community from using the fields.
“Baseball is America’s pastime, and our communities in the Los Angeles Harbor area have long relied on these fields to provide access to youth athletic programs and other outdoor recreation activities,” said Rep. Barragán. “Our communities should not lose access to these fields or have to pay an unjustifiably high price for kids in the Harbor Area to get outside and play. This bill will transfer the land over to the local cities and ensure the fields that these communities have maintained and played on for years will continue to be available.”
Specifically, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer the San Pedro ballfields to the Cities of Los Angeles and Lomita and requires a mutually satisfactory agreement for the conveyance. This proposal builds on the Congresswoman’s efforts to protect community field access, which includes a direct meeting with U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro and her work on an interim agreement that allowed community organizations access to the fields. In addition, Congresswoman Barragán and Congressman Lieu sent a letter in September 2021 to Secretary del Toro that helped prevent a dramatic fee increase.
“Families shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices just so that their children can have fun and play ball,” said Rep. Lieu. “Local nonprofit organizations have been using and maintaining these fields for years. Our bill transfers the fields to the cities of Los Angeles and Lomita so that our community members can continue to access the fields for years to come. Pleased to work with my friend, Congresswoman Barragán, on this effort.”
“The City of Lomita applauds Congresswoman Barragan and Congressman Lieu for their efforts and thanks the United States Navy for partnering with us on this monumental project,” says Lomita Mayor Bill Uphoff. “Open recreation space is hard to come by in our area, and acquiring these facilities will expand Lomita’s ability to provide safe and fun youth sports programs for our community.”
“I can’t overstate the importance of youth sports—it helps our children’s physical, mental, and social development and shapes these young people into healthy, confident, and well-rounded adults,” said Los Angeles Councilman Tim McOsker. “I’m grateful to Congresswoman Nanette Barragán for preserving access to these fields by transferring ownership to the City of Los Angeles, where our Department of Recreation and Parks and community group partners can provide affordable programming and leagues for young Angelenos, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive.”
The text of the bill can be found here.
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).