Lowell Parks Board Raises Tournament Fees, Approves Dozens of Summer Permits

LOWELL — June 25, 2025 — Lowell's Board of Parks and Recreation raised tournament permit fees and approved a sweeping slate of summer field permits at its June 25 meeting. The board voted to charge a tournament organizer identified as Gil $200 per field per day — up from $150 — for use of three McFersonen's Park softball fields across multiple weekends, with total fees for the summer assessed at $7,825; a reduced rate of $75 was set for two-hour Friday evening blocks. Acting chair and board members warned the operator that a full fee overhaul, including mandatory liability insurance, is coming January 1, 2026, telling him "this will not be the protocol anymore." The board also negotiated a live compromise between two competing cricket leagues sharing Harvey Field, settling on a 7:30 a.m.-to-12:30 p.m. and 12:30-to-6:30 p.m. split, with a provisional agreement to shift to a 1:00 p.m. handoff if the Massachusetts State Cricket League approves. Separately, the board voted to remove "permit-only" signs from McFersonen's Park and Durkin Park, affirming that public parks should remain open to all residents, and approved a $150 credit for Kids in Disability Sports after their June rain-out, rolling it toward a July 27 Alumni Stadium event.