Parks & Recreation Commission

BO AR D M EM BE R S Erin Zamarro, Chair Andres Bartholomew Nick Chacharone Brian Dardy Eric Stratton Andrew Serrato PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Nataile Turner MEETING AGENDA C ON T A CT Thursday October 16, 2025 @ 6:30 PM • 50 Officer Manny Familia Way • Worcester, MA 01605 Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Administrative Office – Meeting Room A • Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 PM 50 Officer Manny Familia Way Worcester, MA 01605 • Phone: 508-799-1190 • Email: Parks@worcesterma.gov • Website: The Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be held in-person at the date, time and location listed above. Meeting attendees will www.worcesterma.gov/parks additionally have options to participate remotely by joining online or by phone: The Parks & Recreation Commission is committed to ensuring that its public meetings are accessible • Use the following link to join the meeting via computer: to all. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the meeting, please reach out to the 1) Go to www.team.com staff contact listed. While boards and commissions 2) Enter Meeting ID: 297 596 537 744 2 do their best to accommodate you, certain accommodation may not be available if requested 3) Enter Password: 7R4CA35L within short notice of the scheduled meeting. 4) Join the meeting now Requests for American Sign Language interpretation must be made 10 business days or more in advance of the meeting. • Call 1-469-998-7682 (Access Code: 101 781 186#) Hay disponibles servicios de interpretación y otras adaptaciones con solicitud previa. Note: If technological problems interrupt the virtual meeting ‫ﺗﺘﻮﻓﺮ اﻟﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ اﻟﻔﻮرﯾﺔ وﻏﯿﺮھﺎ ﻣﻦ وﺳﺎﺋﻞ اﻟﺘﯿﺴﯿﺮ ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﻄﻠﺐ اﻟﻤﺴﺒﻖ‬ component, the meeting will continue in-person. अनवु ◌ाद र अ6य आवसह अ'-म अनरोधपचत ◌ु उपल5ध Application materials may be viewed by appointment at: हु6छ। Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery, Interpretação e outras adaptações estão 50 Officer Manny Familia Way Worcester, MA 01605 disponíveis mediante solicitação prévia. between 8:00 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Përkthimi dhe akomodime të tjera janë në dispozicion me kërkesë paraprake. For more information concerning this meeting, please contact the Kasa nkyerɛaseɛ ɛne akwanya afoforɔ da hɔ Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery, by email at ma wɔn a wɔn bɛ bisa ato hɔ. Parks@worcesterma.gov or phone at 508-799-1190. Please send Phiên dịch và các hỗ trợ khác có sẵn theo written comments 3 business days or more in advance of the meeting. yêu cầu trước. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the meeting, please reach out to the staff contact listed. While boards and commissions do their best to accommodate you, certain accommodations may not be DI V IS IO N S TA F F available if requested within short notice of the scheduled meeting. Requests for American Sign Language interpretation must be made 10 Robert C. Antonelli Jr. Commissioner business days or more in advance of the meeting. Jeffery Tomanio, Parks & Recreation Para más información sobre esta reunión, comuníquese con el Coordinator Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery, Hope Cemetery Division Mily Pacheco, Staff Assistant III por correo electrónico al correo Parks@worcesterma.gov o por teléfono Melissa Richford, Principal Clerk al 508-799-1190. Envíe sus comentarios por escrito 3 días hábiles o Scott Morin, Director of Maintenance más antes de la reunión. Si necesita adaptaciones razonables para participar en la reunión, comuníquese con el contacto del personal John Grant, General Foreman indicado en la lista. Aunque las juntas y comisiones hacen todo lo 1 U P CO MI N G M EE TI N GS posible para atenderle, algunas adaptaciones podrían no estar NOVEMBER 20, 2025 disponibles si se solicitan con poca anticipación a la reunión programada. Las solicitudes de interpretación de lenguaje de señas DECEMBER 18, 2025 estadounidense deben hacerse 10 días hábiles o más antes de la reunión. 1. Call to Order – 6:30 PM 2. Attendance (Roll Call) 3. Acceptance of Minutes (June 12, 2025 & September 18, 2025) 4. Public Participation There will be a two (2) hour time limit for this meeting unless a majority of the commission members present vote to extend the allotted time. 5. Public Participation (Agenda Items); A person may speak for no more than three (3) minutes in total on any item appearing on the agenda. 6. Commissioner Report a) Request approval of the Green Hill Golf Course 2026 fees and policies 7. Old Business The individual / organization / group who has placed an item on the agenda may speak for no more than five (5) minutes in total on the item they have submitted. a) NA 8. New Business Agenda items must be submitted three (3) business days before each Commission meeting with subject line “Agenda Item” to Parks@worcesterma.gov and reply satisfactorily to any required follow-up requests sent by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The individual / organization / group who has placed an item on the agenda may speak for no more than five (5) minutes in total on the item they have submitted. a) Request of District 2 City Councilor Candy Mero- Carlson to approve the naming of the playground at East Park (Cristoforo Colombo Park) in honor of Gary Vecchio. 2  b) Request of Commissioner Dardy to discuss expectation setting for the Boards & Commissions Information Session and insight into the agenda to ensure all are well informed and prepared to productively participate in the meeting. c) Request of Commissioner Dardy to discuss any upcoming Holiday events. a. What is being planned? b. Are there any new restrictions? c. For the private events, is there a list of people and contact information on who is managing the event? Vendors may want to contact them directly. d) Request of Commissioner Dardy to understand how to add speed bumps on the streets in front of all parks. e) Request of Nancy Ortiz to discuss the South Worcester Playground handball & basketball courts and Green Hill Park handball court. f) Request of Park Spirit of Worcester to discuss the attached documents as it pertains to Park land used for non-park purposes. g) Request of Commissioner Turner to discuss permitting changes. 9. Tabled Business To take an item off the table, a motion must be made by a member of the Commission, seconded and approved by a majority vote of the members present. The item can then be discussed at the next meeting. a) NA 10. Meeting Adjourned (Roll Call) 3  Department of Parks, Recreation, & Cemetery Green Hill Golf Course 1929 Officer Manny Familia Way, Worcester, MA 01605 P| 508-799-1359 F| 508-799-1546 Greenhillgc@worcesterma.gov 2026 Fees and Policy Recommendations Policy Changes • Rules for golf leagues to be amended o From:  League will be granted a maximum of 2 rainout make up rounds. Golf leagues will not extend into September. o To:  League will be granted a maximum of 2 rainout make up rounds. Golf leagues will not extend into September. In the event of multiple rain outs leagues may request a makeup round to be played on Mondays at 5 PM during the season. Requests are granted at the sole discretion of the City. • Add to rules: Any physical altercations shall result in a player being trespassed from the golf course. • Develop early booking window to allow golfers the opportunity to book beyond the current 7- day window. Early bookings would require a $20 per tee time reservation fee that is nonrefundable. Fees 1. Season Passes increase across the board of $50. 2. Increase range balls $2.00 per bucket for small and medium and $3.00 for large. 3. Increase GF across the board by $3.00 per category. 4. Simplify 18-hole weekend fee structure to 1 rate eliminating noon time and 3 pm rates 5. Increase Golf league pass by $20 commiserate with green fee increases. • League fees have increased $50 since 2020. • Season Permits increased $200 last year but have a total increase of $300 since 2016. • This is the first rate increase for range balls since the range opened in 2019. • Last Green Fee increase was 2024 ($2.00) Since 2016 total increase of $7.00. Golf Course Unlimited Pass 18 Weeker notes/carts Kettlebrook $2,800 $85 include cart Bedrock $1,575 $45 Berlin $1,200 $58 include cart Blackstone National $2410-$2640 not clear Blissful Meadows $2,800 $89 include cart Butter Brook N/A $80-$130 cart required price varies upon time of d Cohasse $3,525 $84 include cart Cyprian Keys Not clear walking price varies upon time of d Dudley Hill $1,479 $ 69 include cart Ellinwood $1,000 $65 include cart Gardner Municipal $1,250 $72 no carts $44 after 4:00 Groton $1,050 $57 include cart Hardwick Crossing $1,350 $56 include cart Hemlock Ridge $925 $30 not include Heritage $1,699 $55 not include $40 after 3:00 Highfields $4,350 $95 include cart Holden Hills $149 $65 same price for cart and wa idian Meadows $1,020 $57 include cart Juniper hill $58 walking only ride on weeknds till Monoosnock $1,200 $61 cart required need to have 2 players for Pakachoag $895 $63 cart include Pine Ridge $60 include cart Quail Hollow $1,100 $55 include cart Wachusett $3,495 $95 include cart All Rateds 2025  September 10, 2025 City Hall Room 310 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Office: 508–799-1049 Candy F. Mero-Carlson Fax: 508–799-1194 District 2 City Councilor Mero-CarlsonC@WorcesterMA.gov Robert C. Antonelli Jr. Commissioner, Parks Department 50 Officer Manny Familia Way Worcester, MA 01605 Dear Commissioner Antonelli, As District 2 City Councilor, I write to you today expressing my support for the playground at East Park to be named after Gary Vecchio, a man whose dedication and selfless contributions have profoundly impacted the City of Worcester. Gary Vecchio was a lifelong Worcester resident, having attended Adams Street school, North High, and then graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Worcester State University. Gary’s contributions to the City knew no bounds. Gary was appointed to numerous boards and commissions including the Worcester Parks Commission, Citizen Advisory Council, the Mayor’s Task Force on Tax Policy, CSX Advisory Committee, and the Eastside Community Development Corporation. His appointment to the Worcester School Committee was valuable for the recommendation of Superintendent candidates for the Worcester schools from 1981 to 1993. During this time Gary did not rest on his laurels as he was instrumental in fighting against the Worcester State Hospital closure and helped build the Worcester Recovery Center. His dedication to those stricken with mental health illnesses landed Gary another appointment to the UMass/Worcester State Hospital Advisory Committee. Until his dying day, Gary led the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association which he co- founded in 2001, earning him the title “Mayor of Shrewsbury Street.” Gary’s commitment to the community was truly unparalleled and may never be replicated. I respectfully request full consideration of this proposal to name the East Park Playground after Gary Vecchio, a man who uplifted generations of Worcester residents. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to working with you on this endeavor. Sincerely, Candy F. Mero-Carlson Worcester City Councilor – District 2 City of Worcester • 455 Main Street • Worcester, MA 01608-1892 Office: 508–799-1049 • Fax: 508–799-1194 • www.WorcesterMa.gov 2. League Rosters • All leagues must submit up-to-date rosters for every season or session and shall ensure that these rosters are continuously updated while using any and all Worcester parks. • Revocation and/or suspension will apply to the league(s) from all Worcester city parks until such time as deemed by the Commission’s ruling. • Again - some concern re names/privacy etc. 3. Severe Rule Violations • Any severe violation of park rules may result in immediate suspension of league permits. • The length of suspension shall be determined by the Parks Commission, for up to five (5) years. 4. Illegal Substances • Any league found to possess, sell, give away, or use any substance prohibited by law on park property shall be punished by immediate revocation of all league permits. • I think comment below re cambridge re being responsible for folks attending could be helpful here too. 5. Sound and Amplification • No league shall use amplified sound unless explicitly authorized in their permit. • Perhaps some examples re speakers, etc 6. Permits as Privileges • League permits are a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked or suspended at the discretion of the Parks Commission for violations of rules or improper use. • Permits shall be issued for specific events only and shall not allow continuous or ongoing use of parks. 7. Field Hours • All leagues must vacate fields no later than 8:00 PM. • Curious on rob and others take on this 8. Permit Oversight and Enforcement The Parks Commission may take action against any permit holder or league that: • Causes damage to park property or facilities. • Has unpaid fees or financial obligations related to permits. • Engages in any other conduct or violations that interfere with the safe, fair, and proper use of park resources. Such actions may include warnings, suspension, or revocation of permits at the discretion of the Parks Commission. Natalie Turner