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Lowell parks board approves bundled school field-day permits and a series of community event permits, waives several fees
Summary
At its April 30 meeting the City of Lowell Board of Parks approved bundled permits for multiple school field days, granted a string of pavilion and field permits for religious, nonprofit and private events, and approved several fee waivers and credits for community groups.
The City of Lowell Board of Parks on April 30 approved a bundle of school field-day permits and a series of individual permits for park pavilions and fields, and granted several fee waivers and credits for community groups.
Board members voted to bundle agenda items 5, 7, 11, 15, 24 and 33—requests from multiple schools seeking field-day permits—so staff could process them together. The board also approved individual permits and fee adjustments including: a resident-fee waiver for a gender-reveal event at Sheddle Park Pavilion (custodial fee only), a $900 credit to Lowell Girls and Boys Lacrosse for three canceled dates, a $75 credit for a rain-cancelled Hovey Field reservation, a $19.50 waiver for a concession-stand account correction, and custodial-fee approvals for multiple birthday parties, church picnics and nonprofit events.
Why it matters: The approvals clear the way for spring and summer school and community activities in Lowell parks and formalize several ad hoc fee adjustments that board members said help volunteer groups and small nonprofits hold community events.
Most-requested items and board direction The board consolidated multiple school permits so each school would not have to wait through separate agenda items. Chair (unnamed) asked for a single motion to approve the grouped requests; a board member moved and another seconded, and the board voted “Aye” and carried the motion.
Peter Crew, City parks staff, explained operational details for permit holders: setup and cleanup time is included in permit blocks, the splash pad can be opened by request on a permit, and smaller pavilions are typically rented in four-hour blocks through the online system. “Shannon will be aware and have it ready. It’ll be right on the permit that you are requesting the splash pad,” Crew said when applicants asked about splash-pad availability.
Applicants and fee decisions - Jacqueline Scott requested the Shed Park pavilion for a gender-reveal party (May 10). The board waived the resident fees and charged only the custodial charge. Scott said she expected about 50–60 people and would use crock pots for food warmers; the board confirmed setup and cleanup time are included in the permitted block.
- Evan Mallet (represented at the meeting) and Lowell Girls and Boys Lacrosse asked for a credit after paying for three dates they did not use; the board approved a $900 credit for the three canceled dates.
- Patty Crabtree requested fall cross‑country permits; the board approved the requested dates at no fee.
- Gil Vigent requested the McPherson Park concession stand May 1–Aug. 17 and later asked that fees for multiple canceled dates be waived. The board approved the concession-stand permit and waived a $19.50 assessed total (a previous larger figure on the agenda was corrected during discussion).
- Multiple small events—baby showers, first-birthday parties, craft fairs and neighborhood volleyball/volunteer events—were approved with standard custodial fees or no-fee status where applicants qualified as residents or nonprofit groups. Notable approvals included a two-day craft fair (June 1 and Sept. 7) at Shed Park with a total fee of $800, and a charity basketball event at the Stocklow courts approved with no fee.
Discussion and conditions Board members repeatedly reminded applicants that gas grills are not permitted (charcoal only) and that applicants must clean up after events. Staff said fireworks and open gas grills are prohibited, electricity is available at some pavilions, and custodial fees keep bathrooms open during events.
What was not decided The board did not change the city-wide fee schedule at this meeting; most fee changes were case-by-case waivers or credits approved by motion. Applicants were told staff will process the permits and notify them by email to pay through their online accounts.
Ending Board members closed the permits portion with routine “motion carries” votes and moved on to a separate, extended policy discussion about tournament fees and field availability later in the meeting.
