Hinesville mom petitions Liberty County to open sports fields to kids

HINESVILLE, Ga. (WTOC) - For nearly three years, public sports fields in Liberty County have sat locked outside of scheduled recreation programs, and a Hinesville mother says her sons are paying the price.

Lindsey Miles, a Hinesville mother of three, launched a petition on Change.org titled “Open the Fields for Our Kids,” calling on Liberty County Recreation Department officials to open public fields during non-program hours. As of Wednesday, the petition had gathered more than 200 signatures.

“These aren’t kids that are tearing things up,” Miles said. “These are kids that are genuinely trying to play soccer. They deserve it. They really deserve it.”

Miles said the issue began roughly three years ago when Liberty County Recreation restricted field access to organized programs only. Before that, she said, families used fields at James Brown Park and at local schools, including Snelson and Bradwell, for pickup games and informal practices. Those school fields have since been closed to informal use as well.

Her two teenage sons, Rory, a senior, and Teegan, a junior, are competitive soccer players who hope to earn college scholarships. Miles said the lack of practice space has put those dreams at risk.

“You get that fear that maybe you won’t be good enough to get a scholarship,” Teegan said.

Without access to lighted, open fields, Miles said some kids have turned to dangerous alternatives — including practicing along the shoulder of U.S. Highway 84.

“The kids are literally on the side of the highway,” she said.

“That’s dangerous not only for the kids, but for the cars. A ball comes and smashes your windshield, you crash.”

Hinesville City Council Member Jose Ortiz said he supports Miles’ effort but acknowledged his limitations. The parks in question fall under Liberty County jurisdiction, not the city of Hinesville.

“I’m only one person,” Ortiz said. “Open one field... one field. That’s progress.”

Ortiz said he previously met with Liberty County Recreation Director Raymond Groves and Assistant Director Ricky Gilyard to advocate for expanded field access and was told the matter would be looked into. He said the issue remains unresolved.

Miles said she is not asking for a complete overhaul, only reasonable access. Her petition calls on county leaders to open fields during non-program hours, allow free reservations, create scheduled community play times, and work with residents to develop safe solutions.

She suggested measures such as security cameras and locked gates at night to protect the fields.

“Nobody wants the fields torn up,” Miles said. “We want to protect the fields while also making them accessible.”

Liberty County Recreation Director Raymond Groves declined to comment. The Liberty County government did not respond to a request for comment.

Miles said she plans to take the petition to county commissioners and intends to gather signatures at the Hinesville Farmers Market.

On Wednesday, she said she received a message from the city administrator’s office requesting a conversation.

WTOC will continue to follow this story.