Board approves permits for fall youth clinics, waives custodial fee for Girls on the Run

Lowell — The City of Lowell Board of Parks on Wednesday approved permits for multiple youth programs and one fee waiver for a school-sponsored program. Among the approvals, the board granted requests for Girls on the Run practices at Shedd Park from Sept. 23 through Nov. 13, two Lowell youth lacrosse clinics on Sept. 21 and Oct. 5, a six-week field-hockey clinic that aims to form a league next year, a kickball fundraiser organized by a local nonprofit, and a series of youth softball dates for Lowell’s fall league. The board approved the event dates and waived fees in multiple cases where high-school or league custodial coverage was present. For Girls on the Run, coordinator Ayesha Nieves of Lowell Community Charter Public School asked to use the Shedd Park pavilion and green space for twice-weekly practices. Parks staff told the board that the custodial fee cannot be waived by the board as a matter of policy, but the board voted to waive all fees in this instance because the high school would provide custodial presence on many of the requested nights. The vote was recorded as "Motion carries" in the transcript. Several other neighborhood and school events were approved with no fee or reduced fees, including a student-run kickball fundraiser organized by Colton Ossorio’s Field of Heart nonprofit and family celebrations and birthday parties at neighborhood parks. The board also approved a $400 credit tied to a canceled tournament at Mahoney Field, after staff said the field was not playable and the permit holder did not provide required field preparation. Board members emphasized that custodial requirements, restroom access and parking implications should be communicated to permit applicants at the time of booking. At one meeting exchange, a neighbor raised a parking concern for an event at Sheehy Park and asked whether the adjacent parking lot could be reserved for permit holders; staff said the lot is city-owned and that permit applicants should be made aware of parking constraints when they apply. Most of the permits were approved by voice vote; motions and seconds are recorded in the meeting transcript but no roll-call tallies appear in minutes. The board asked staff to ensure permit applicants are given clear instructions about restroom availability, generator needs for power at parks without electricity, and any custodial or parking requirements. The approvals will allow community groups, schools and nonprofits to proceed with planned fall programming on city fields and pavilions.