Parks board clears dozens of spring and summer permit requests, waives some resident fees

The Lowell Parks & Recreation Board approved a batch of park and field permit requests for spring and summer events at its March 20 meeting, voting to grant reservations for school field days, community festivals, neighborhood cleanups and multiple youth-sports programs.

The board approved combined permits for three elementary‑school field days at Foothill/McPherson areas, granted a multi‑date permit for the Ryan Fields Frisbee league and approved a host of single‑day permits for community groups. The board also approved a kickball tournament permit at Ventura and Manning fields and set a tournament fee framework for that organizer to pay at the standard rate discussed for field reservations. Several resident‑run outreach events — including a Kenyan Community Outreach series, an annual cleanup event by Coalition for About an Acre, and a First Run for Nature hosted by the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust — received waivers of the standard resident fees while custodial fees remained in place.

Notable outcomes and clarifications from the meeting: - Three elementary‑school field day permits (Moody, Shaughnessy, Green Oaks) were approved together. - Ryan Fields was approved for a long‑running Frisbee league; staff noted the lights at the field are aging and may need repair. - Marvin Winston was approved for a cookout at the Jet Pavilion with an April 24 rain date; approval is contingent on payment of an outstanding balance before a permit will be issued. - Colleen Cregan’s annual frisbee league at Ryan Fields was approved for the requested time slot; staff noted the organizer can request adjustments to light shut‑off times if needed. - The Kenyan Community Outreach group’s May 17 and July 5 requests (track, basketball courts and pavilion at Shed Park) were approved with board action waiving resident fees in recognition of community outreach; custodial fees remain payable. - Nicholas Padilio’s family kickball tournament (Ventura and Manning fields) was approved; the board applied the board’s then‑current tournament/field fee arrangement discussed during the meeting. - Jose Hernandez was granted a credit for Sunday permits he had paid and the board waived his cancelled Saturday dates. - Kids Inc. (disability sports) received approval for recurring Tuesday evening practice dates at Harry Allen Field at no fee.

The board took a brief procedural vote to accept applicant amendments or outstanding payments where applicants agreed to settle balances with the parks office; staff said permits are finalized only after fees are paid and required insurance or custodial arrangements are confirmed.

Several applicants were told to coordinate final details with parks staff (Heather) — including payment of outstanding balances and submission of insurance binders where required — before permits will be printed and issued.

Votes at a glance - Approve Moody/Shaughnessy/Green Oaks school field‑day permits: approved (motion carried) - Approve Ryan Fields Frisbee league permit (season dates/times): approved (motion carried) - Approve Ryan Fields Frisbee permit for Colleen Cregan (season/block request): approved (motion carried) - Approve Marvin Winston cookout w/ April 24 rain date (Jet Pavilion): approved contingent on payment of outstanding fees (motion carried) - Approve Kenyan Community Outreach (May 17 & July 5 at Shed Park): resident fees waived; custodial fee required (motion carried) - Approve Nicholas Padilio kickball tournament (Ventura/Manning fields): approved (motion carried) - Grant Jose Hernandez credit ($7.50) for canceled Sunday bookings and waive unpaid Saturday requests: approved (motions carried) - Approve Kids Inc. recurring youth practices (Harry Allen Field): approved (motion carried)

Board members reiterated that final permits will be issued only after payment of fees and submission of required insurance or custodial arrangements.