By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SYMMES TWP. - Residents along Bettyray Street claimed victory this week in blocking another soccer field at the end of their once-peaceful cul-de-sac.

But some residents are pushing for more security at Bodley Field, saying it has become a nighttime haven for young couples interested in other recreation.

"They promised to keep the gate locked at the end of the workday," said Thelma Tarpoff, a 45-year resident who lives in front of the soccer park.

But "never one time has it been locked or closed," Tarpoff said.

Bettyray residents have been kicking for years about the soccer fields, developed at least 30 years ago atop Loveland's well fields bordering on Symmes Township.

The residents have complained about noise and the traffic.

But the latest issue to raise their ire was a council proposal that a well field be used for recreational soccer so the Loveland Youth Soccer Association could "rest" one of four other fields each season.

Loveland officials backed off after confirming what residents told them - a covenant on that particular piece of land limits its use to agricultural and residential purposes.

The land where the developed fields are does not have the same restriction, City Manager Fred Enderle said.

He said he's looking into what can be done to satisfy the residents' complaints about security and their request to provide landscaping as a buffer.

City Police Chief Dennis Rees said he's well aware of after-hours sexual activities at Bodley Field and has added it to his officers' nighttime patrols.

Four arrests were made there last weekend, Rees said.

"It's not something we can guard. But it is on a regular route for patrol," the police chief said.

"If they keep going there, they are going to get caught."

The flap over the soccer park has left the city's recreation board searching for another field.

Board chairwoman Leslie Keller said the league is strapped for additional fields.

Councilman Dave Bednar, who is a member of the recreation board, said he already has another site in mind.

Bettyray resident Walter Law, who led the charge to keep the extra field from being developed, said he knew what he was getting into last May when he bought a home adjoining the soccer fields.

But he said an extra field would have added to the neighborhood's troubles.

"The cars, speeding, people going down there at night when they are not supposed to," Law said.

"I don't think anybody likes it."

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com