Board gives Lowell High School option to permit cross‑country course at Shedd Park

The Lowell City Parks & Recreation Advisory Board voted Jan. 29 to allow the cross‑country course that runs through Shedd Park to be made a permittable facility, following a request from Lowell High School.

Scott (identified in remarks as representing Lowell High School) told the board that running groups have been using the wooded trails with increasing frequency, and that school cross‑country teams sometimes need exclusive use for middle‑ and high‑school meets and practices. He described a recent instance when a private running group occupied the trails during a scheduled middle school race and the coach requested a half hour for the students to finish; the group agreed, but the school asked for formal permitability to prevent future conflicts.

Board members discussed how the permit would be applied and clarified that existing track permits already cover the formal track itself; the change sought was to allow a permit explicitly for the wooded cross‑country route through Shedd Park so coaches could reserve it when needed. After discussion the board voted to make the cross‑country course a permissable resource and directed staff to add it to the online permitting options so teams and school groups may reserve it during the cross‑country season.

The board’s action was procedural: it did not automatically assign any dates or modify other groups’ existing permits. Scott said the high school and the junior high teams would use the course primarily in the fall and that they would coordinate with Parks staff on custodial needs and parking when large races occur.