Lisbon will be establishing a few new no parking zones on the streets near the Lisbon Sports Complex ahead of the beginning of the use of the center this spring.

The proposed plan decrees the north side of West Third Avenue to be entirely a no parking zone, as well as the west side of North Jefferson Street. The goal is to create easy access for pedestrians and limit any safety hazards for residents trying to get into the new Lisbon Sports Complex and out of nearby driveways.

The area between the two drives on the south side of West Third Avenue will also become a no parking zone, in an effort to create a crosswalk to the complex.

City administrator Brandon Siggins said the feedback from the community has been positive so far, with all but one West Third Avenue resident yet to call back with approval of the plan.

“People tend to park everywhere when these kinds of events go on,” said council member Nathan Smith.

The council and residents alike are hoping that the new parking situation will flow smoother than the current arrangement, as well as that of the city park, which is known to fill up quickly and disrupt traffic flow. The parking lot at the Lisbon Sports Complex is expected to have an estimated 110 parking stalls, with possible overflow parking on the east side of the property, weather permitting.

Peggy Donohoe, a West Third Avenue resident, said her main concern is not the location of the no parking zones, but the street’s speed limit and whether the road will be established as one-way in or one-way out.

“It’s a racetrack,” Donohoe said of the speed of cars on the street. Mayor O’Connor said he agrees “there should be some signage and speed limits,” and also asked about increasing the number of speed bumps in the area around the sports complex to “try and slow it down.”

As far as fire hydrants are concerned, they would primarily be in the no parking areas of the street, with the exception of those down by Meyers Meadow. The council is also looking to create city ordinances to maintain smooth traffic flow and emergency response.

The Lisbon Sports Complex was an especially critical topic of discussion Monday night, as spring soccer for grades second through sixth starts March 25, with younger groups beginning the following Tuesday. The spring soccer program will have around 120 to 140 kids enrolled.

Lisbon Parks and Recreation director Drayton Kamberling noted that spring cleanup will take place April 12. Local softball and baseball teams will come together to clean and prep the fields for the upcoming season.

“It’s a good event for us, and we usually have a really good turnout,” Kamberling said. “We give them donuts and milk when they are done.”