Parks Panel Weighs New Fees, Field Crunch

Parks Commission · Meeting of February 24, 2026

MENDON — The Mendon Parks Commission discussed new tiered fees for Pazella Field's lights and braced for a field shortage once Nipmuc Regional's construction closes Memorial Field this summer. A staff member said the town now charges a flat $25 pavilion fee, up from free, and is weighing $250 charges for events involving alcohol, tents, vehicles on the field or crowds over 100 people. Baseball and softball leagues keep a fee waiver through 2027 tied to a $24,500 donation toward the park's roughly $200,000 lighting system, with club teams facing rates up to $45 an hour.

"If we can get a couple of these club teams to come in there and book these lights," a staff member said, "then we're in great shape." The commission is coordinating with officials in Mendon, Misco and Upton, including Chris Schmidt, Scott Glassman and Rick LaCrosse, to plan around Memorial Field's closure.

In the full story:

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• Mendon's community access TV: Parks Commission meeting, February 24, 2026
• The complete report: 815 words

Source: the Parks Commission meeting of February 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.