[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6086300,"mediaKeyId","2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0","parentId",2897059,"title","Park and Rec approves multiple events, denies dog‑yoga request; minutes approved","audioSeconds",899,"startMs",4616190,"endMs",5516075,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0&start=4616&end=5516","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0/thumbnail_4616190.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086300/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Park-and-Rec-approves-multiple-events-denies-dogyoga-request-minutes-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086300-706b9eb16eafc93403ba9748079ffa96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135920&Signature=nj7V-DDyMdziw5fsFMUZD67VMve0exWLOmWSIw-phd6eA8hWK6tl2emMk00C4tUvV-eB-EYyNkLWmrhozJKY4Oto1a30jTp~NTQNClf4EMKuwbzSE19x5ZgsDOBjMn6Jzrbv14-38Huex6sGnNsRhWGNXwcqx0EX8RadbVNJHKHupd6HV7lXJ4el~s-u7I0Iw63emtRd73cVAFCzERPhsEAHsNPJSpgMeKMXTcb2rBlm8ug73LDncStL1ERmVPbfNwgVJal93TIWP184Q1akYDoceQUt6x-lwx18jk3bTbRdaxvGBh1v08ceofDh7FXaUhPdg23zGli9uK~9YH7jlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Park and Recreation Commission considered and acted on a string of event permits and routine approvals at its April 7 meeting.

Approvals and denials

- Early morning yoga (Needham Community Education) — Approved by roll call; all commissioners present voted yes.

- Relay for Life (community fundraiser) — Approved by roll call; unanimous approval.

- Needham Baseball & Softball opening day (season opening celebration) — Approved; recorded vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstention (the transcript records a 4–0 with one abstention; commission staff will include the official minutes to show individual names and the abstention).

- School PTC end‑of‑year events (Sunnyside/Sunita, Broadmeadow, and others) — Three school PTC events were approved by unanimous roll call vote after required date clarifications and standard permit conditions.

- Dog yoga (high school student council fund‑raiser) — Denied. Staff and commissioners noted that unleashed or dog‑centric events conflict with park rules; the commission instructed staff to notify the applicant and to suggest alternate indoor school venues.

- Meeting minutes (March 10) — Approved by roll call; unanimous approval.

How the votes were taken

Several items were approved by roll call (commissioners named in sequence during each roll call). Where a roll call was recorded the transcript captured the verbal aye/abstain responses. For the Needham Baseball & Softball opening day permit the meeting recorded a 4‑for with one abstention; staff will publish the official minutes with final vote at the town record.

Context and conditions

Commissioners and staff said some event locations are in conflict with routinely scheduled sports (for instance, Memorial Park and athletic field use) and that staff would contact applicants to seek alternate locations or dates if necessary. For events in town parks, applicants must meet usual permitting requirements and secure any health, food or alcohol permits from the town as required.

Ending

Staff will finalize permit paperwork and publish the official roll‑call minutes; applicants denied or asked to relocate were to be notified promptly by staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Park and Recreation Commission 04/07/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 7 meeting the Needham Park and Recreation Commission approved several event permits (early morning yoga, Relay for Life, PTC school events, opening day) and denied a dog‑yoga request that violated park leash rules. The commission also approved March 10 minutes. Votes were recorded by roll call where noted.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086305,"Commission considers short‑term mats and longer repairs after complaints about Newman playground turf",230,4233975,4464370,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0&start=4233&end=4464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0/thumbnail_4233975.jpg","/articles/6086305/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Commission-considers-shortterm-mats-and-longer-repairs-after-complaints-about-Newman-playground-turf","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086305-86671461b9bb2742f4237a0c255b22f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135920&Signature=KBwMBQ9zA042PjRfeDPX8OexiBNjzDhmcN87Q2bCW6Ev~p0NFLQyyntl2Wjftz8qyA0TCFxpk6SdXNzGLwLMF6eBw3LAgrMXSt3YRCm6lJS-QtZJ4dlIGgumR~gG1M8gCceGceGThjL2sj6dB~pG0egJq1DfJoG8YBtOne1-XfStbVDZrDY3ak6x7C8nGdpgHUGS4IsbShUyoi22YDruxtfn-pVT-YtXEarMOYWF-Z0QlDHVOIn6gY19VKrwytq4VXGSbM6GO3Zq5gDPqI0HCxRgXtODyD8JtnUpclH50hEF5ahbbyH-3QX4dRbXn-D~Yi8mdIrBHUeA2EMZhYs~3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners discussed tearing and wear in the synthetic turf underfoot at Newman school playground and considered an interim fix of removable playground mats while pursuing longer repairs.

A parent had raised safety concerns about rips and worn areas in the turf under playground equipment. Staff said the town is pricing playground mats that can be laid over mulch or turf as a movable interim solution; the mats would reduce the need to replenish loose fill and could be relocated if playgrounds are renovated in the future.

Staff cautioned that mats are a band‑aid, not the same as poured‑in‑place surfacing, which is ADA‑compliant and more durable but significantly more expensive. Mulroy said the town had spent about $10,000 last year on loose fiber replenishment for two playgrounds and that the mats would avoid recurring fiber purchases and spreading labor costs.

Why it matters

Parents and users said Newman is a well‑used playground for younger children and that wear spots can create trip risks. Commissioners said they want solutions that reduce repeated maintenance but recognize the higher upfront cost of poured‑in‑place surfacing.

Next steps

Staff said they will obtain quotes for mats and will evaluate other playgrounds (Elliot, Broadmeadow) for the same solution. Mulroy said the preschool side at Newman is already planned for poured‑in‑place at renovation and that mats could be used as an interim measure on the kindergarten/play area.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff to return with price quotes for mats and an updated playground‑renovation timeline so they can decide whether a temporary mat purchase is prudent while capital planning continues.","Commissioners reviewed reports about tearing and wear at the Newman playground turf; staff said replacement mats are being priced as a movable, interim fix and said full poured‑in‑place surfacing remains the long‑term standard when funding allows.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086310,"Park and Rec director reports rising program registrations, pool plans and Claxton construction progress",911,2333415,3244569,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0&start=2333&end=3244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0/thumbnail_2333415.jpg","/articles/6086310/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Park-and-Rec-director-reports-rising-program-registrations-pool-plans-and-Claxton-construction-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086310-8c766c38190819ed5ea7c7f3a8e957f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135920&Signature=DOAP-xZomrPoCGG9REf-pnlQzYBzdprvnAwPwTzBUw0JGwebfdZXLBF50xvMi6vFBYZPW6HLXd0emPmqrJg2v349HOi~TrDQtO5cMeNaWWmOuwMIWCSNoONUbg8p7bsCNjiJfy0CcaV-u6QviJZ94DVuS432j6T2c7FMV7cyzK1DlvtD0Zjjn2QUDGjE6BnQsO~PE1fa8xFe-jX85yqPJj8hPkdp6iVAF1G7woY1Bio8XG4Ea5m7p9aVdbSpKx9YArOQufv8x5p2AIVwskYcOMjVV8KrXTANENkyX4gcthHrl-AqDtr160dpdJeLlQBXP~mATTsc8ijbRXfIT23OsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park and Recreation Director Stacy Mulroy updated the commission on April 7 about program registrations, pool plans, summer staffing and the Claxton construction timeline.

Program and registration trends

Mulroy reported more than 1,100 program registrations since March 1 (excluding pool and court badges) and said many spring programs are filling. Pool passes had a “huge jump,” she said, and a temporary 25% discount has driven sales. Pools are targeted to open May 17, weather and staffing permitting, with lap swim only the first weekdays and full hours once school is out and seasonal staff are available.

Summer staffing and camps

Staffing for camps and pools improved from recent years: Mulroy said the department had returned 26 lifeguards secured at the time of the report and was close to finalizing seasonal hires. She described routine late withdrawals and the repeat need to hold offers until hiring is certain.

Grass fields and closures

Mulroy and staff described widespread field closures because soils are cold and saturated. Ed and field staff prepared a slide package showing bare areas where grass seed is not germinating because cold soils prevent growth; commissioners and user groups received an explanatory PowerPoint. Mulroy said staff and the parks crew are making day‑to‑day decisions and that user groups are also asked to check permits and coordinate weekend calls.

Claxton project and tennis courts

The Claxton (active recreation) project advanced: Mulroy said irrigation work was nearing completion, stone paths and paving would follow, and dugout storage access had been secured. Commissioners agreed to meet on site as needed; construction meetings are arranged as progress merits. Mulroy said the project timeline will be set in coordination with the contractor and that staff are tracking access for events such as fireworks.

Other operational updates

Mulroy reported continued high interest in puzzle leagues and other adult programs; court badge revenue has remained near prior years and marketing will continue. She said staff continues to reconcile prior field fees with permit holders and is auditing fall fees.

Quotes

“Our pool passes have had a huge jump,” Mulroy said, calling sales strong but dependent on weather and staff availability. “We will open as much as we can.”

Ending

Mulroy said staff would continue to update the commission on pool staffing, Claxton construction milestones and field‑opening decisions tied to weather and turf germination. Commissioners asked for clearer day‑to‑day field‑opening notices on the website and for continued coordination with user groups and DPW.","Director Stacy Mulroy told commissioners registrations are up for spring programs and pool passes; summer staffing is improved though staffing remains a concern; the Claxton project has ongoing construction and the town is handling irrigation and paving phases; many grass fields remained closed for drainage and seed‑germination reasons.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086315,"Disc golf supporters press Park and Rec for timeline and permitting for potential course",545,1751885,2297810,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0&start=1751&end=2297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0/thumbnail_1751885.jpg","/articles/6086315/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Disc-golf-supporters-press-Park-and-Rec-for-timeline-and-permitting-for-potential-course","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086315-9af3bb41f56c737e17a5f7048ed63015/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135920&Signature=dfJ66gLnylmwoCRyfF~NiAMbZPaMeER4LiZwoi3cISHKLtS4teG5avGu~tbkJQpOx7QIR4D9l8LmewnNtJ7XcdW20EHITGhr4np6fk~1ABqlJ4cfDgYRgIC6cGxDP2Pk-wHWjD-WrNIev23DW~t3IknKons1lVpXRakLZ0PjSTUa9Usw22FLDZOQb3Q~rhtsd2xUgZdZAGvE2AT4jcDTyOER9Tzfc5kODP~V755ZFFet5Qukn5N-bKfOk8DFYI77iOeFR1BtL-3DV~JY6AKcuqvUxj5mC~BQI~iC7R7Qku20oVJ0cQTGIka5gA9RjmecxgkyZpZTWKEckat9GduG8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A group of disc golf advocates came to the Park and Recreation Commission meeting on April 7 seeking a clearer timeline and information about fitting a proposed course into the town’s Claxton (active recreation) project or pursuing it separately.

Joe Abruzzi, a local resident, urged the commission to consider a disc golf course as a relatively low‑cost, low‑maintenance amenity that draws families and visitors; he said his children travel outside town to play.

Commissioners and staff said they see value in the project but need concrete information before advancing it. Commissioners asked staff to check three areas: procurement and contracting (could the Claxton contract be amended or extended to include disc golf if money remains?), permitting and conservation constraints (including whether concrete tee pads are required or if stone/asphalt pads would be acceptable), and realistic vendor cost estimates that reflect prevailing wages.

Staff follow‑up and next steps

Stacy Mulroy, director, said she would discuss procurement options with the town’s procurement lead (Cecilia) and would contact vendors for price estimates and permitting requirements. Mulroy noted the disc golf feasibility study is already on the commission’s capital plan as a “future form” and said the commission could either try to fit disc golf into Claxton if there is scope or plan it as a stand‑alone project if needed.

Advocates offered flexibility on design and maintenance: proponents said tee pads can be cement, stone or compacted crushed stone and that community clubs commonly adopt maintenance roles so long‑term town maintenance obligations can be limited.

Why it matters

Disc golf supporters argued the sport delivers public recreation value with comparatively small capital investment and, if placed near other facilities, could become a destination amenity. Commissioners emphasized the need to assess permitting and abutter outreach, and to resolve whether any proposed hardscape (concrete pads) would trigger conservation or additional maintenance obligations.

Quotes

“This is a relatively simple plan… it is possible to get some baskets into the ground very quickly,” a disc golf proponent said at the meeting.

“What I was hoping we could talk about is what kind of a timeline we could do for disc golf,” a commissioner said; staff agreed to gather procurement, permitting and budget details to inform a timeline and next steps.

Ending

The commission kept the item on its agenda, asked staff to return with procurement and permitting information and vendor cost estimates, and encouraged proponents to help identify a working group of users and abutters to meet with staff for early outreach.","Disc golf advocates presented a feasibility study and asked the Park and Recreation Commission to consider where a course could fit in the active recreation (Claxton) project or be advanced separately; commissioners asked staff to gather permitting, procurement and cost estimates for next steps.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086323,"Needham baseball and softball leaders press Park and Rec for more field maintenance, funding",1584,152580,1737490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0&start=152&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2897059-7a1aa42d6d061a9a779067375a9dd1e0/thumbnail_152580.jpg","/articles/6086323/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-baseball-and-softball-leaders-press-Park-and-Rec-for-more-field-maintenance-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086323-8be012c2b709f39fc7e70264b522a489/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135920&Signature=S6wji6x8nmxZr9nyhrp6fkuglOf6zhgLIRcVgWqEqiKwC9xfrNHR-1~OV1zgMe~oD1hwGy~ztruGpBXAbdqMFHRXxRU~WzKF2-slx9cma69EAvW2KYRE~49HS8OkVaskO4KWdBuMHa8ssShzn2L9PG7ZllbuLgkeq3SF0F1aJKnLMIFDi01rBBibv6eJnxnG3Mj4DaPOwwOwgXDecCumLdOoabVwRc306O0y~t4r6FUmAHgrbGqdLdNgUJp6IV9dJQ9O2BFuYGxU0oE4uE5nldu68dUgYrrqr41wtbOTw39Vnd0qM9RKGWB~mQs0KCCyGdNtXs3l1V-jHwh~6W4AFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Needham Baseball & Softball told the Park and Recreation Commission on April 7 that the group is spending its own money — roughly $50,000 a year, the league’s president said — to maintain town diamonds and asked the commission for help finding town resources and faster contractor access.

The plea came from Dave Vellante, who identified himself as president of Needham Baseball & Softball. He said the volunteer board, parents and registrants are frustrated that some fields are repeatedly unplayable after rain and that the league now budgets and raises fees to pay for weekly contractor touches intended to keep high‑use diamonds playable.

Vellante said the program has budgeted to contract weekly or every‑other‑week maintenance on high‑use fields but that the town’s procurement timeline delayed an approved contractor start until June, after most spring games. “We finally did get approval to do that project, but we got approval a week ago. Now we’re looking into June before we can get a contractor on any of these fields,” he said.

Why it matters

Parents and volunteers said they are paying increased registration fees to cover maintenance and remain concerned about field safety and playability. The league argued that without clearer town support — either budget increases to Park and Forestry or a sustained maintenance plan — the league will keep covering shortfalls while fields degrade.

What commissioners and staff said

Commissioners and staff described three constraints: budget, staffing and available project hours. “It’s the three not‑enoughs — not enough budget, not enough manpower, not enough hours in the day,” a commissioner said, noting Park and Forestry crews also respond to storm damage and other town needs.

Stacy Mulroy, Park and Recreation director, explained how user fees and Ed’s (park and forestry) budget interact: user fees paid by permit holders are voted by the commission and are remitted to the town, and Ed’s crew hires outside contractors when needed. She said user‑fee revenue has helped pay outside contractors (about $140,000 this spring for contracted field work), but procurement lead times and staff bandwidth limit how quickly outside work can be scheduled.

Longer‑term fixes discussed

Vellante asked about accelerating capital work including lights for the small diamond and a more permanent fix — possibly artificial turf — for the high school varsity diamond, which he described as a low point in the field design that traps runoff near shortstop.

Commissioners said the lighting project is on the town’s 10‑year plan but not the five‑year capital plan; staff estimated lights could cost in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars and noted Community Preservation Committee (CPC) or other capital funding could be explored. Mulroy said the town’s capital process also depends on engineering, permitting and project management bandwidth.

The commission also flagged a statewide bill repeatedly introduced in the Massachusetts legislature that would limit or ban artificial turf on public entities; staff said if the bill passes it could affect any turf proposal.

Stormwater and drainage

Commissioners suggested stormwater work could be required to resolve chronic drainage issues; Mulroy identified Gabby Queenan, the town’s sustainability manager, as a contact for stormwater and drainage feasibility. Queenan was named by staff as the appropriate liaison for stormwater renovation questions.

Community role and next steps

Commissioners encouraged Needham Baseball & Softball to continue coordinating with Ed and Park and Forestry, to consider donors that have raised funds for other projects, and to bring specific, prioritized requests to the commission so staff can evaluate capital, maintenance and procurement options. Mulroy committed to connecting Vellante with the sustainability manager and to exploring whether the commission could advance capital requests or support DPW budget requests to the town manager and Finance Committee.

Quotes

“We’re budgeting and planning with our weekly maintenance schedule, spend upwards of $50,000 of even baseball and softball money just on our dimes,” Dave Vellante said, describing volunteer spending on field work.

“It’s the three not‑enoughs — not enough budget, not enough manpower, and not enough hours in the day,” a commissioner said when responding to the league’s request for more maintenance support.

Ending

Commissioners and staff said they will continue talks with the league, explore whether the commission can support an increased maintenance request in the DPW/Park and Forestry budget, and pursue short‑term contractor options while longer capital fixes (lighting, drainage, or turf) are evaluated through the town’s capital and permitting processes.","Needham Baseball & Softball told the Park and Recreation Commission it spends tens of thousands annually on field upkeep and wants clearer town support, faster contractor work and options for long-term fixes including lights and turf; commissioners and staff outlined limits tied to budgets, staffing and town procurement timelines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Park and Rec approves multiple events, denies dog‑yoga request; minutes approved

Commission considers short‑term mats and longer repairs after complaints about Newman playground turf

Park and Rec director reports rising program registrations, pool plans and Claxton construction progress

Disc golf supporters press Park and Rec for timeline and permitting for potential course

Needham baseball and softball leaders press Park and Rec for more field maintenance, funding