MILTON– Milton Youth Football says it’s no longer involved in the YMCA of Northern Rock County’s efforts to develop sports fields on 10 acres adjacent to the Parker YMCA in Milton, that was recently donated by the city of Milton.
At a Milton Common Council meeting on July 1, Milton Youth Football President Rick Terrill asked that any references to his group be removed from city materials, plans and discussions regarding the project across from the Parker YMCA, and from any affiliation with the YMCA’s acquisition of the property.
Terrill said Milton Youth Football had previously been in discussions with the city since November of 2024, as his group considered acquiring land to build new youth football fields. He said Milton Youth Football was urged by the city to collaborate with the YMCA as the city was considering donating acreage to the YMCA.
Terrill said he was told by the city that the YMCA didn’t have specific plans for the property at that time.
He said Milton Youth Football subsequently met with Angie Bolson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Northern Rock County, and other YMCA officials, whom he recalls “expressed enthusiasm” about partnering with them.
“We were told that developing football fields would be a great use of the land and we were encouraged to begin planning and fundraising,” he told the council at the July 1 meeting.
He said official city meeting minutes listed one intended use of the property as the development of football fields for Milton Youth Football, in partnership with the YMCA.
And then, during a meeting with the YMCA to formalize the agreement, Terrill said Milton Youth Football was told that a long-term lease was no longer in the best interest of the YMCA.
He said the YMCA at that point appeared “unsure about how they intended to use the land.”
He said he reminded YMCA officials of the city’s understanding and prior discussions, but he said, “YMCA leadership firmly stated that the land is now solely theirs (to develop) as they see fit, on their timeline, without obligation to Milton Youth Football.”
He said this word from the YMCA came after Milton Youth Football had already raised funds for the development of its fields on the 10 acres, including taking donations from local businesses and residents.
He said it’s not now clear whether it was the Y’s intent to partner with Milton Youth Football in the way they discussed “and perhaps never was.”
Terrill also shared with the council on July 1 that Milton Youth Football hopes to develop youth football fields at another, yet to be determined site.
He said multiple fields are still envisioned, equipped with scoreboards, lighting and stands. He said the future park is envisioned to be named to honor the legacy of Milton College.
“We’re currently looking for the best situation that aligns with our needs as well as the needs for the community,” he told the 69 in a later interview.
“Our vision is to be able to partner with the community and help see Milton grow in a meaningful way,” he said.
YMCA perspective
YMCA of Northern Rock County tells a slightly different version of how Milton Youth Football came to no longer be involved in its plans to develop the 10 acres.
Bolson told The 69 in an interview the that YMCA received an email on June 30 from Milton Youth Football, saying it was no longer interested in pursuing the partnership.
She said partnerships with local organizations have always been its goal, once the YMCA has final ownership of the land. The YMCA has a purchase agreement with the city, but it doesn’t yet have a signed deed, as that process remains ongoing, she said.
She said the email from Milton Youth Football was “surprising” and said the YMCA of Northern Rock County is still open to a partnership with it, or with any other groups at this point, as it continues to work through the land acquisition.
“We’ve been open to that discussion this entire time,” Bolson said. “We had at no point reached any final agreement. In my mind, it was like they were early conversations, what the partnership could look like. And then on the 30th the discussion stopped. Okay, on their part, not on ours.”
In a July 24 letter shared with The 69 from Bolson to Milton Youth Football’s board of directors, parents, donors and members, the YMCA said it was still in the process of officially securing the land.
“Thank you for engaging in early conversations about the green space adjacent to the Parker YMCA, which was gifted to the YMCA of Northern Rock County by the City of Milton in June 2025 following several years of dialogue between YMCA leadership, board members, and city officials,” the letter said.
It went on to say the YMCA believes that safe outdoor spaces play a meaningful role in youth development and said it was “hopeful” Milton Youth Football could be a part of that.
“While no formal agreement was reached and many details were still being explored, we appreciated the time, ideas, and engagement your organization brought to the early conversations,” the letter reads. “We also recognize the positive impact your program and its supporters continue to have on the lives of Milton’s youth. We understand your decision, as shared via email on June 30, to step away from further partnership discussions, and we respect your direction. We wish you all the best in enhancing your football program.”
She also wrote that if Milton Youth Football were ever interested in revisiting a collaboration, the YMCA would “pick up right where they left off.”
The 69 reached out to Terill for further comment, following the YMCA’s response, and did not immediately hear back from him.
