DES MOINES, Iowa — The future of one of Iowa’s oldest Little League programs is uncertain after the owner of a private road announced the league must find an alternative route to its ballfields by the end of the year.

“I don’t understand it,” Ross Edwards, the league president and coach, told WHO 13’s Katie Kaplan. “It’s kind of like the plot of some sort of weird Disney movie.”

For more than 30 years, families have used a narrow dirt road to access the eight baseball fields that make up the Raccoon Valley Little League complex off Park Avenue in south Des Moines. But in May, the league was notified that their use of the road will no longer be permitted after December 31.

The road runs through land owned by Richard Leonard. He also owns and operates Park Avenue Self Storage, which sits at the beginning of the road just south of the league’s complex. Leonard declined a request for an interview, but in a written statement, cited rising property taxes, insurance costs, and other operating expenses as reasons he can no longer allow the league to use the access road, adding that he needs to put the property to a more “economically sustainable use.”

The statement provided by Leonard in it’s entirety read:

“We at Park Avenue Self Storage have been pleased to support RVLL over the years by
providing complimentary access to the Water Works property. It has been our privilege to
contribute in this way to such a valued community organization.
However, due to the continued rise in property taxes, insurance costs, and other
operating expenses, we now find it necessary to put the property to a more economically
sustainable use.

Additionally, Park Avenue Storage, LLC respectfully believes the responsibility for providing
RVLL access to the property should be that of Water Works Park, as Water Works Park leases
this property to RVLL.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding and support as we make this transition.”

While dust from the unpaved road has reportedly caused tension between the league and the business, the letter came as a shock to league volunteers who have poured time and money into revitalizing the fields in recent years.

“It was devastating, actually,” said Sara Nichols, a board member whose son plays in the league. “We got several grants recently and made lots and lots of field improvements. Spent about $150,000 making improvements down there.”

The improvements included updated dugouts, fences, and scoreboards—funded in part by a Polk County Community Development grant. As a nonprofit organization, however, the league has little financial ability to build or pave a new road.

“How much money does the league have to build a new road or pave an old one?” Kaplan asked.

“Not enough,” Edwards replied.

The league rents the land from Des Moines Water Works and has done so for more than three decades, long before many of the surrounding businesses and developments were built. But the area is now landlocked by the Raccoon River to the north, railroad tracks to the east, an apartment complex to the west, and businesses—including Leonard’s—to the south.

“There’s got to be a place for kids to play baseball, no matter their skill level, their income level,” said Edwards. “I was a player here growing up. I met dozens of friends here. Spent hours and hours throughout the summers.”

Founded in 1955, Raccoon Valley Little League has served thousands of families over its 70-year history. The possibility of shutting down leaves some parents deeply concerned.

“I’m not happy about it. And I don’t think it’s fair,” said Gary Christensen, who has two children who play in the league. “I think you’ll be taking a lot of joy out of kids’ lives and a lot of families’ lives.”

The league said its attempts to speak with Leonard have been unsuccessful.

“He won’t speak with us,” Edwards said. “It’s discouraging that a local business owner would want to shut down a Little League.”

Leonard’s legal letter asserts that Des Moines Water Works, as the property owner, is responsible for providing access to the fields. But the utility company disputes that, stating the lease places the responsibility for access and improvements on the league.

Des Moines Water Works has leased several parcels of land to the Raccoon Valley Little League for more than 30 years. The lease of the current site outlines that the Little League is responsible for access and any improvements to the site. Des Moines Water Works hopes the two parties can come to a mutual agreement that benefits everyone. 

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City and county officials appear divided on how to respond. Des Moines City Councilmember Carl DeVoss said via email that he does not see a path forward for city support. However, Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy stated the county is committed to helping the league continue and that staff are exploring potential solutions for access.

As the clock ticks toward the December 31 deadline, families and league leaders are hoping for a resolution—but are preparing for the worst.

“I don’t even know if it would be something that we could do by next spring to be able to operate,” Nichols said.

With no clear alternative route and limited resources, the league’s future remains up in the air—leaving a cherished community institution facing what could be its final inning.