Developers who earn a living by correctly reading the market are advancing what will end up being Manteca’s second cricket field.

Richland Communities is proposing a cricket field as well as a dog park as part of the neighborhood parks they are designing for the 738-home Hat Ranch project approved for 184 acres saddling Pillsbury Road in southwest Manteca.

Cricket fields are growing in popularity among new residents throughout San Joaquin County.

There are two cricket fields in Lathrop — one at Mossdale Landing Park and the other at the Steam Academy at River islands.

There are also cricket fields in Stockton, Mountain House, and Lodi.

There are also cricket fields in Milpitas, Sacramento, Richmond, Lorenzo Santa Clara, Bay Point and three in San Jose.

Almost all of the fields mentioned were placed in existing parks as communities responded to changing recreational interests.

Manteca’s first cricket field is being placed in Doxey Park adjacent to McParland School on Northgate Drive using federal COVID pandemic funds.

It has generated pushback from those who use the Doxey Park storm retention basin on a regular basis for informal soccer games.

The city, which has a working relationship with local soccer organizations, indicated there haven’t been any requests in the past two years submitted to reserve the park at set times for soccer games and/or practices.

Homeless appreciate

new park amenities

On Thursday, a homeless individual was using the BBQ at North Main Park in the new neighborhood of 154 homes known as North Main Commons on the southeast corner of Main Street and Northgate Drive.

The man did have a purloined shopping cart with his belongings with him.

A quick check with a nearby resident walking by indicated that the homeless do use the BBQ occasionally and for the most part clean up after themselves.

It is no different than what they do elsewhere in Manteca such as at Lincoln Park.

Manteca Police, a few years ago, started clamping down on the homeless barbecuing at Lincoln Park after it closed at night as well as those that used the picnic shelter after hours.

 There are at least 235 homeless in Manteca.

They are city residents just like everyone although they are unhoused.

And Manteca — true to its word of following the law — doesn’t treat the homeless any different than those who are housed except as directed by the courts when there is no housing available for them.

Think sleeping on sidewalks in areas that don’t interfere with others being able to pass between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. as well as being able to do so on other public city property that is not restricted to everyone’s use via ordinance or by being secured.

Parks, with exceptions basically, are closed from 8 p.m.. to 6 a.m.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com