9.2.2026 Park Board

Meeting summary The Fall River Park Board met on September 2, 2026, to address permit requests for park usage, capital project submissions, cemetery alterations, and tree removal requests. During citizen input, Westport resident Alex presented a proposal for an October 10th charity food drive and car show at Kennedy Park, receiving guidance on department coordination with the city's events coordinator, traffic division, and emergency services before formally submitting paperwork for the October board meeting. The board approved several permit requests, including an annual procession from Kennedy Park to St. Mary's by the Diocese of Fall River on October 12th, an outdoor rosary service by Holy Name Church at Lafayette Park on October 10th, and fall adult soccer permits for Jeremy Messier at Britland and Travassos parks with a condition to ensure fields are cleaned after games. Additionally, the board approved two Community Preservation Act (CPA) project applications submitted by Parks Director Darren Medeiros for new lighting and improvements at Maplewood's Gilly Amaral Baseball Field and sidewalk replacements at upper Kennedy Park, as well as a request from Oak Grove Cemetery to convert 30 double grave lots into 60 single graves. In old business, the board addressed a tabled request from the Department of Community Maintenance regarding tree removal in the 300 block of Mount Hope Avenue. Following discussion on sidewalk accessibility and safety hazards near a driveway, the board voted 2-1 to approve the removal of one hazardous tree near the driveway, with Commissioners Victor Farias and Helen Rego voting in favor and Chairman John Sylvia opposed. Topics discussed Approve previous meeting minutes — approved Approve previous meeting minutes Kennedy Park Car Show and Food Drive Proposal Alex presented an event concept for a car show and food drive at Kennedy Park on October 10th. Commissioners discussed logistics, parking locations along Park Drive, and instructed him to coordinate with Sarah Martin and municipal departments. Diocese of Fall River Procession Permit The board reviewed and approved the Diocese of Fall River's request to use Kennedy Park for a procession to St. Mary's on October 12, 2026. Approve Diocese of Fall River procession request for Kennedy Park on October 12, 2026 — approved Approve Diocese of Fall River procession request for Kennedy Park on October 12, 2026 Lafayette Park Holy Name Church Event Susan Belmore requested permission on behalf of Holy Name Church to hold an outdoor rosary service at Lafayette Park on October 10, 2026. Approve Holy Name Church outdoor rosary permit for Lafayette Park on October 10, 2026 — approved Approve Holy Name Church outdoor rosary permit for Lafayette Park on October 10, 2026 CPA Applications for Maplewood and Kennedy Parks Parks Director Darren Medeiros presented two CPA funding requests: one for ball field lighting at the Gilly Amaral Baseball Field at Maplewood Park and another for new sidewalks at upper Kennedy Park. Approve submission of two CPA park project applications for Maplewood Gilly Amaral field lights and upper Kennedy Park sidewalks — approved Approve submission of two CPA park project applications for Maplewood Gilly Amaral field lights and upper Kennedy Park sidewalks Oak Grove Cemetery Layout Conversion Discussion and approval of converting 30 double grave lots into 60 single grave lots at Oak Grove Cemetery to meet single plot demand. Approve conversion of 30 double grave lots to 60 single graves at Oak Grove Cemetery — approved Approve conversion of 30 double grave lots to 60 single graves at Oak Grove Cemetery Britland and Travassos Soccer League Usage The board approved Jeremy Messier's request to hold soccer games on Sundays at Britland Park and Mondays/Wednesdays at Travassos Park, with an agreement that teams clean up after games. Approve Jeremy Messier's soccer permit for Britland Park and Travassos Park conditional on post-game cleanup — approved Approve Jeremy Messier's soccer permit for Britland Park and Travassos Park conditional on post-game cleanup Mount Hope Avenue Tree Removal The board deliberated the removal of a tree on Mount Hope Avenue near a driveway deemed a traffic and safety hazard, approving removal by a 2-1 vote. Approve removal of one tree next to the driveway on Mount Hope Avenue — approved Approve removal of one tree next to the driveway on Mount Hope Avenue Links Read the meeting summary Watch the full meeting