Backlash grows as Leon County Schools closes tracks and fields

After a year of allowing public access, Leon County Schools is closing high school tracks and athletic fields, citing increased trash, "wear and tear" and "damage" – and the decision already is drawing backlash from residents.

But one administrator cited a host of problems, including vandalism and public urination at Leon High when restrooms are locked.

"Beginning Saturday, June 20, all high school tracks and fields will be closed to the public for the foreseeable future. This includes tracks that were previously open to the public at Leon and Chiles High schools," a June 18 Facebook post from the district said.

"Following a year of public access, school administrators and district staff noticed an increase in garbage, wear and tear and in some cases damage and have made the decision to restrict public access."

The response was quick and angry.

"Once again, the district gives the community something just long enough to make people think they're committed to public access, only to take it away. Instead of holding the people causing the problems accountable, everyone gets punished," Daniel Zeruto, a former school board candidate, commented under the post.

Another Facebooker said: "My taxes pay for access to that. How is this even possible??? It's COMMUNITY PROPERTY PAID FOR BY THE COMMUNITY!!!"

Still another said, "This is why we can't have nice things."

The post managed to collect at least 160 likes and 59 comments in less than 40 minutes of being posted.

The news came even as district offices were closed June 18, in advance of the Juneteenth holiday. LCS spokesperson Chris Petley said the abrupt post came after school leadership asked the district to close the tracks again.

"Administrators at Leon High approached the district staff to try to figure out what a solution would be," Petley told the Tallahassee Democrat. "Leon approached the district staff about just the wear and tear and the amount of garbage and neglect that has happened and they asked the district to go ahead and make the decision to reclose the tracks."

Leon High Athletic Director Riley Bell told the Tallahassee Democrat that his priority is keeping the track in good condition for the current students at the school: "I do wish that we could find a way to make it work and the superintendent did us a favor and it opened up and tried it but unfortunately it just didn't work out because of some ongoing issues."

Those issues include people jumping the fence around the Leon field and breaking equipment, refusing to leave when a school-sanctioned event was happening, even urinating outside on buildings when the restrooms were locked.

"We really wanted to have our track open to the public and there's a lot of community people that are doing exactly what we asked them to do and following the rules, but then on the other hand, you have some folks that are abusing that privilege," Bell added.

Chiles High School administrators distanced themselves from the district's decision in a Facebook post that limited comments. The Chiles track was already set to be closed this summer for renovations.

"The decision to close the Chiles High School track was not made by Chiles High School; it was a directive from the district office following complaints filed regarding the track at Leon High School," the post states. "Out of an abundance of caution, the district decided to close both tracks moving forward. Chiles High School will comply with and follow the district's directive. Thank you for your understanding.

Tracks were closed, then opened, then closed again

In 2023, the district invested millions of dollars in upgrades to football fields at high schools with artificial turf, and soon after closed the spaces to the public citing liability, safety and maintenance concerns.

That decision triggered widespread debate among members of the public looking to use the facilities, and support from those who agreed with the decision.

"We understand that we are the anchor of many communities and neighborhoods but its just not feasible for us to continue to keep it open with what has happened since we've had it open," Petley said.

"Very unfortunate," one Facebook user said. "As a parent, I'm sure we could rally and help clean up to allow a clean safe place to train."

The closure also comes before county voters are asked to consider the district's proposed half-penny sales tax initiative that is expected to bring in almost $30 million a year for construction, school safety equipment and infrastructure costs.

• What do you think about the district's decision to close the tracks and fields? Write us at News@tallahassee.com and let us know. Your response may be used in a future story.

Alaijah Cross covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at abrown@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Backlash grows as Leon County Schools closes tracks and fields

Reporting by Alaijah Cross, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 6:45 PM.