Board of Parks

City of Lowell • Board of Parks Recreation Department • recreation@lowellma.gov 107 Merrimack Street, 4th Floor • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674-4175 • F: 978.970.4065 • www.lowellma.gov Lowell Board of Parks Meeting Minutes DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 TIME: 6:00PM LOCATION: Mayor’s Reception Room, 375 Merrimack St. 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 PRESENT: John Linnehan, Chairman Ryan Rourke, Member Tom Caunter, Member Keith Rudy, Member Shannon Cohan, Superintendent of Parks MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 6:09pm by Chairman J. Linnehan Item 1 – Dave Lezenski/Patti Crabtree (Lowell High School) – MVC Championship Cross Country Meet Shedd Park – Pavilion Shedd Park – Gresco Baseball Field Shedd Park – Kelly L. Page Softball Field Sheehy Park Extension - Greenspace Saturday, October 28, 2023 8am-8pm FEES ARE WAIVED FOR A HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS EVENT. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 2 – Jacquelynn Coles – Juneteenth Celebration Muldoon Park – Gazebo Sunday, June 18, 2023 12pm-6pm Resident Adult Fee $25.00/2hr block X 3 = $75 Bridget Anderson represented for Jacquelynn. They requested the use of the Gazebo, full grounds park, and boating area for a free community event. This event will include serving food (charcoal grills only, if grilling), games and activities, history on Juneteenth, and organizations providing information on the resources they offer in the community. They are expecting 150-200 people in attendance. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request for a fee of $75. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Page | 1 Item 3 – Daisy Delgado – Fundraiser Shedd Park – Pavilion Saturday, May 27, 2023 12pm-8pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour X 2 = $240 Total Fee = $240 Daisy would like to host a BBQ fundraiser in her son’s honor to raise funds for Greater Lowell Tech students. The funds will go towards uniforms for the auto-tech students that the school doesn’t provide. This event will include cooking and serving food (charcoal grills only, if grilling), raffles, and a DJ. This is an event for the youth, so the total proposed fee has been reduced to $240. Motion was made by Keith Rudy to approve the request for a fee of $240. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 4 – Pamela Larocque (Coalition for a Better Acre) – CBA/Roberto Clemente League North Common – Carney Softball Field | Baseball Practice April 07 – August 25, 2023 (Fridays) 3pm-7pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Rebecca Ludvino represented for Pamela. They requested to add Fridays in addition to their previously approved permit from January’s meeting. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 5 – Thalia Pimentel – Account Credit Request Thalia requested account credit to waive the outstanding balance on their account for a canceled permit on July 30, 2022 for $170.00. The Board said they can give an account credit for the $50.00 permit fee, but the remaining $120.00 (custodial fee) needs to be paid for, as a custodian was sent the day of and was never notified of the cancellation prior. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to issue $50 account credit, reducing the balance to $120. Motion was seconded by Ryan Rourke. Approved Unanimously. Item 6 – JoAnne Downing (Bartlett Community Partnership School) – Bartlett School Field Trip Shedd Park – Cahill-Perrin Little League Field Shedd Park – Edward F. Finnegan Basketball Court Shedd Park – Gresco Baseball Field Shedd Park – Tennis Backboards I & II Shedd Park – Elmer P. Rynne Tennis Courts I - IV Tuesday, June 13, 2023 8am-2pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 JoAnne inquired about adding the Pavilion on to this request, but it is not available this day/time. The Board gave approval pending the addition of the Pavilion if it becomes available. Requestor may come back and submit a new request for an alternative date to include the Pavilion, if they choose to do so. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request at no fee, pending addition of the Pavilion. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Page | 2 Item 7 – Jose Hernandez – Adult Flag Football O’Donnell Park – Frank Ryan Senior League Baseball Field April 20 – June 08, 2023 (Thursdays) 6pm-10pm Resident Adult Fee $25.00/2hr block X 2 = $50 per date $50 per date X 8 dates = $400 Total Fee = $400 Jose said they received a permit to play last year for their 18+ adult league and it went great, so they have requested to play at Ryan Field again. He is aware of the field conditions and hopes they’ll improve. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request for a fee of $400. Motion was seconded by Ryan Rourke. Approved Unanimously. Item 8 – Nina Silva (Saint Michael School) – Field Day Shedd Park – Pavilion Monday, June 05, 2023 8am-4pm Tuesday, June 06, 2023 (Rain Date) 8am-4pm Shedd Park – Gresco Baseball Field Shedd Park – Tennis Backboards I & II Shedd Park – Track Shedd Park – Edward F. Finnegan Basketball Court Shedd Park – Krysiak Courts on Boylston St. Courts I & II Monday, June 05, 2023 8am-2pm Tuesday, June 06, 2023 (Rain Date) 8am-2pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Jack Minch represented for Nina. This will be for their annual school field day. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Keith Rudy. Approved Unanimously. Item 9 – Blanca Munoz – Volleyball Stoklosa School Park – Basketball Court I April 01 – October 29, 2023 (Saturdays & Sundays) 4pm-8pm Resident Adult Fee $25.00/2hr block X 2 = $50 $50 per date X 62 dates = $3,100 Total Fee = $3,100 Blanca said they received a permit to play last year and it went great, so they have requested to play at Stoklosa again. There will be a mix of both adults and youth playing. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request for a fee of $3,100. Motion was seconded by Ryan Rourke. Approved Unanimously. Item 10 – Colin Creegan – Lowell Ultimate Frisbee O’Donnell Park – Frank Ryan Senior League Baseball Field May 21 – August 20, 2023 (Sundays) 7:15pm-9:15pm Resident Adult Fee $25.00/2hr block = $25 per date $25 per date X 14 dates = $350 Total Fee = $350 Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request for a fee of $350. Motion was seconded by Keith Rudy. Approved Unanimously. Page | 3 Item 11 – James Peirce (Lowell Girls Youth Lacrosse) – Game Days Cawley Memorial Stadium Complex – Field Hockey Field April 16 – June 04, 2023 (Sundays) 12pm-8pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour X 2 = $240 per date $240 per date X 8 dates = $1,920 Total Fee = $1,920 James does not need April 09 anymore, so the total proposed fee has been reduced to $1,920. Motion was made by Keith Rudy to approve the request for a fee of $1,920. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 12 – Pamela Miller (Coalition for a Better Acre) – Community Events A) North Common – Stage | CBA Annual Acre Clean Up Saturday, May 06, 2023 8am-2pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 This will be for an annual event. They will do a clean-up in the morning followed by a cookout in the afternoon. They usually bring in portapotties for the event, and will just need to make sure there are enough barrels and the parks are swept for needles prior to the event. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Keith Rudy. Approved Unanimously. B) North Common – Stage | CBA Annual Acre Fest/Resource Fair Saturday, June 10, 2023 9am-3pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 This will be for an annual resource fair where CBA invites organizations, health and human services organizations to give information about what resources are offered for members in the community. The event usually draws 150-200 people, and is a part of neighbor works week as a community outreach project to build community engagement and connection. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. C) North Common – Stage | National Night Out Event Tuesday, August 01, 2023 2pm-8pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 This will be for an annual national free family-friendly event. CBA partners with Police, Fire and EMTs. They bring their trucks and police K-9s. There will also be games and activities, food and music. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Keith Rudy. Approved Unanimously. Page | 4 Item 13 – Elizabeth Cheung (Elevate New England) – LHS Elevate Program Graduation Celebration Shedd Park – Pavilion Friday, June 23, 2023 2pm-10pm Saturday, June 24, 2023 (Rain Date) 12pm-8pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour X 2 = $240 (One custodian fee, dependent on which date is used) Total Fee = $240 The requestor did not show so the request was DECLINED. Item 14 – Elyssa Regan – Birthday Party Shedd Park – Pavilion Sunday, April 09, 2023 10:30am-2:30pm Resident Adult Fee $25.00/2hr block X 2 = $50 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour = $120 Total Fee = $170 The requestor did not show so the request was DECLINED. Item 15 – Juan Rodriguez – Softball Game/Family Gathering St. Louis Playground – Harry Allen Field Sunday, May 28, 2023 11am-3pm Non-Resident Adult Fee $100.00/2hr block X 2 = $200 This will be for a family softball game for parents and youth (12+). It will the first time they have all got together since the pandemic. They would like to bring prepared food for consumption and will take care of any trash removal needed. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request for a fee of $200. Motion was seconded by Ryan Rourke. Approved Unanimously. Item 16 – Jeffrey Boian (Kids in Disability Sports Inc.) – Baseball Game Cawley Memorial Stadium Complex – Alumni Field Sunday, June 11, 2023 10am-2pm Sunday, July 09, 2023 (Rain Date) 10am-2pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/4hr block = $0 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour = $120 (One custodian fee, dependent on which date is used) Total Fee = $120 This will be for KIDS annual game versus Home Depot/American Carpet. Jeffrey requested to amend the date for this request. Jeffrey would like to add 06/11/23 as the event date and keep 07/09/23 as a rain date. LHS has 6/11 permitted already, but the Board will give tentative approval as long as LHS agrees to release that date for them. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the request for a fee of $120. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Page | 5 Item 17 – Michael Isola (Mill City Eagles) – Adult Football League A) Cawley Memorial Stadium Complex – William “Billy” Rizos Turf Field | Football Games July 08 – August 12, 2023 (Saturdays) 5pm-9pm Resident Adult Fee $200.00/4hr block = $200 per date X 5 dates = $1,000 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour = $120 per date X 5 dates = $600 Lights Fee $100.00/4hr block = $100 per date X 5 dates = $500 Total Fee = $2,100 [$420 per date] B) Cawley Memorial Stadium Complex – Machado Field | Football Practice July 06 – September 28, 2023 (Thursdays) 7pm-11pm Resident Adult Fee $200.00/4hr block = $200 per date X 13 dates = $2,600 Custodial Fee $120/4 hour = $120 per date X 13 dates = $1,560 Lights Fee $100.00/4hr block = $100 per date X 13 dates = $1,300 Total Fee = $5,460 [$420 per date] Total Fee for both A + B = $7,560 The Mill City Eagles play in the East Coast Football League. Mike inquired about adding in additional dates for item 17B that are currently being permitted by LHS. If LHS agrees to accommodate the request, then a new request for those dates can be submitted for approval. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve both requests for a total fee of $7,560. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 18 – Chris Snow (Shedd Park Baseball and Softball) A) Shedd Park – Concession Stand April 01 – October 31, 2023 (Sunday-Saturday) 8am-10pm Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request at no fee. Motion was seconded by Keith Rudy. Approved Unanimously. B) Revisiting: Shedd Park Concessions Building Proposal Approved from the May 2018 Board of Parks meeting: Motion – “General approval of the Shedd Park Concession Stand Guidelines”. Chris received approval back in May of 2018 to move forward with a new concession building at upper Shedd Park and would like to give the Board an update on the project. It will be in between Page Softball Field and Gallagher Little League Field. The building will include a concessions portion, storage and bathroom facilities; which was the primary reason for the design, as there are no facilities in the upper area. Chris noted the delay in the project due to the pandemic, but it’s finally complete. It is fully designed and fully funded, minus some last minute private fundraising they are doing. Shannon Cohan is aware of the project, and the Department of Planning & Development is putting together construction documents that should go out for bid in the next few weeks and hopefully break ground soon. Page | 6 Item 19 – Gilbert Vigeant (Lowell Girls’ Softball) – Softball Tournaments A) McPherson Park – M1 – Farley Softball Field Fridays July 07, 14, 21, 2023 8am-8pm Saturdays May 13, 27, June 03, 17, July 08, 15, 22, August 05, 12, 2023 8am-8pm Saturday, June 10, 2023 8am-6pm Sunday, May 14, 2023 8am-4pm Sundays May 28, June 04, 18, August 06, 13, 2023 8am-6pm Sundays July 09, 16, 23, 2023 8am-8pm Sunday, June 11, 2023 10am-4pm B) McPherson Park – M2 – Sweatt Softball Field Fridays July 07, 14, 21, 2023 8am-8pm Saturdays May 13, June 10, July 15, 2023 8am-6pm Saturdays May 27, June 17, 2023 10am-8pm Saturdays June 03, July 08, 22, August 05, 12, 2023 8am-8pm Sunday, May 14, 2023 8am-2pm Sundays May 28, June 04, 18, August 06, 13, 2023 8am-4pm Sundays July 09, 16, 23, 2023 8am-6pm C) McPherson Park – M3 – Vigeant Softball Field Fridays July 07, 14, 21, 2023 8am-6pm Saturdays May 13, July 08, 15, 22, 2023 8am-6pm Saturdays May 27, June 17, 2023 10am-8pm Saturdays June 03, August 05, 12, 2023 8am-8pm Sunday, May 14, 2023 8am-2pm Sundays May 28, June 04, 18, August 06, 13, 2023 8am-4pm Sundays July 09, 16, 23, 2023 8am-6pm LOWELL GIRLS’ SOFTBALL WAS CHARGED $17,200 FY2022 PERMITS. Tournament dates are similar to last year minus one weekend, days/times vary. Member Tom Caunter and the Board Secretary came up with the proposed fee FY2023 permits using the fee structure as follows: $150 per field X 3 fields = $450 per day $450 per day (for 3 fields) X 21 dates (for 3 fields) = $9,450 $9,450 + $300 (for 2 fields on 06/10/23) = $9,750 $9,750 + $150 (for 1 field on 06/11/23) = $9,900 Total fee = $9,900 John asked Gil why the fee is significantly lower, and Gil mentioned it is because of the lack of teams, field availability and shorter times per day for the tournaments. ITEM 19 WILL BE A CONFLICT WITH CASE (ITEM 20A) The Board sees no issues having both items approved as long as Peter and Shannon are communicating about the event during Gil’s tournament. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the requests for a total fee of $9,900. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Page | 7  D) McPherson Park – Concession Stand Resident Youth Fee $0.00/2hr block = $0 Motion was made by Tom Caunter to approve the request at no fee when the dates/times are submitted. Motion was seconded by Ryan Rourke. Approved Unanimously. Item 20 – Peter Crewe (Cultural Affairs & Special Events Office) – 3 Part Park Clean up/Concert Events A) McPherson Park – M1 – Farley Softball Field Saturday, May 13, 2023 8am-6pm B) Muldoon Park – Gazebo Saturday, May 20, 2023 8am-6pm C) Sheehy Park Extension – Greenspace Saturday, June 03, 2023 8am-6pm FEES ARE USUALLY WAIVED FOR CITY EVENTS. CASE is partnering with Lowell Litter Krewe for these park clean up concert events. LLK will lead park clean ups from 9a-12p. Then CASE is hoping to partner with neighborhood restaurants for food, and would like to provide music/entertainment from 1-4p. The stage they want to bring in is entirely contained and self- sufficient with lights, sound and power. They are unsure about bathrooms, but will rent portapotties if they decide they need them. They are working with the Shannon Cohan to coordinate plans, and no custodians from Parks’ will be needed on site for any of the events. ITEM 20A WILL BE A CONFLICT WITH LOWELL GIRLS’ SOFTBALL (ITEM 19) Shannon Cohan said they will be setting up at McPherson by the pool and will not conflict with the tournament that is being requested by item 19 on May 13. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve the requests at no fee. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 21 – FOR REVIEW: Board of Parks Policy Book – Draft The Board Secretary has begun drafting an official policy book and presented it to the Board. It is an ongoing document that is still currently being worked on, pending approval once completed. The goal is to establish a better set of rules and regulations, and update the current policies. They had discussions regarding the current fee structure, and both current payment and cancellation policies; and ways those policies can be updated. Member Keith Rudy likes the idea of the Board meeting with the Parks subcommittee to gain feedback on obtaining more information around policies and procedures that should be included in this book, as well as what can legally be done about the outstanding balances owed for park permits and future refunds. The Board Secretary agreed with K. Rudy, and noted that majority of the outstanding balance from 2022 has been paid, and that the overall total balance from 2017-2022 has decreased significantly since the previous update as well. Page | 8  Superintendent of Park’s Business Item 1 – Shannon Cohan / Department of Planning & Development (DPD) BOARD NEEDS TO VOTE: To apply for a grant that converts Oliveria Field into a Dog Park, but final decisions on the park will be determined if the funds are awarded and after a public forum takes place. The Board, Shannon Cohan and Chris Snow had a discussion on Oliveria Field. Chris is neutral on the decision but wanted to give the Board insight on how much his organization uses Oliveria Field in a typical year. The Board discussed other possible alternatives that might be a better location for this dog park. John asked if this grant was specific to just a dog park or if it could be used for other ways to clean up and convert the park of choice. Shannon noted that this grant would be strictly for a dog park at Oliveria and that the funds are not guaranteed; and if they were awarded the funds that the final decision would be up to neighborhood input. The Board believes that Oliveria Field is not a primary field anymore but that neighborhood is underserved when it comes to Parks & Recreation; and they do not like the idea of taking away field space from youth recreational activities. Keith also noted he wishes the protocol was better in terms of the Board getting neighborhood input prior to them voting, as it makes it hard on the Board to vote on something they don’t know what the neighborhood actually wants as the outcome. Motion was made by Tom Caunter to deny converting Oliveria Field into a Dog Park. Motion was seconded by Keith Rudy. Approved Unanimously. Item 2 – Install an updated cricket pitch at Hovey Field Shannon Cohan met with Sabeeh Ehsan, a member of one of the cricket leagues currently permitted to play at Hovey Field, after January’s Board meeting to discuss installing an updated cricket pitch at Hovey. Sabeeh gave Shannon a few locations that already have pitches to look at and then get approval from the Board to install something similar at Hovey. Shannon said they should be meeting with a contractor next week to get an exact cost, but Sabeeh has estimated it to be about $15,000 which is not in the Parks’ Department budget at all. Shannon also said they can help with the site work to save them money but that Sabeeh’s cricket league would come up with the funds, and they just need permission to install it. The one at Hovey is currently made up from beam clay, but this would be made up of concrete with AstroTurf on top. It’s a permanent pitch, but it will not stop other groups from using the field. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve installing an updated cricket pitch at Hovey Field. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Item 3 – Gifted Storage Shed at Carney Field Shannon told the Board he was notified that some group or person would like to donate a storage shed to the City for storage use for the Roberto Clemente League at Carney Field. The first step is getting approval from the Board of Parks, then City Council. Shannon said he already checked out the location and it will be placed along the concession stand with no issues. Motion was made by Ryan Rourke to approve placement of the container at Carney Field. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. Motion to adjourn made by Ryan Rourke. Motion was seconded by Tom Caunter. Approved Unanimously. MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:32pm Page | 9