Lowell Board of Parks Approves Dozens of Summer Permits, Flags Signage Dispute

LOWELL -- May 28, 2025, Lowell Board of Parks approves more than two dozen summer permits, including a political rally and a youth Little Library. The board, meeting May 28, approved permits for dozens of events across city parks ranging from youth lacrosse and cornhole clinics to birthday parties and religious services, most at no fee. A permit for a June 14 "No Kings" rally at Carver Park organized by Judith Durant and Sheila Harrington was approved at no charge, with the board voting to notify the Lowell Police Department directly rather than leaving notification to the organizers. Youth football organization Pop Warner secured the largest fee-bearing package of the evening, with game days at Billy Rizzo Turfield and stadium practices approved at a combined cost of $1,500 across multiple permits. The board also voted unanimously to summon a Parks Department representative to its June meeting after a member raised concern that "permit only" signs had appeared at McPherson Park and Shed Park but not at other city parks, calling the inconsistency unfair to residents.