Grafton Recreation Locks Down Ferry St. Courts Until April 2024

New Grafton Recreation Director Adam Lapointe stood firm on the decision to lockout basketball, tennis and pickleball players from the public courts at Fisher Park on Ferry St. in South Grafton beginning November 15th. The restriction was affirmed by the Grafton Recreation Commission at their second meeting of the month on November 20th. The courts just recently reopened in late August after being closed for nearly 5 months during a refurbishing. That revitalization project was paid for through the Federally funded ARPA program.

Initially, Lapointe advised the decision to close the courts was necessary due to; the potential safety hazard of melting and refreezing snow and ice, potential damage to the courts with any shoveling of snow and/or the application of chemical melting agents, liability concerns and deterioration of the asphalt through freezing and thawing coinciding with the stress of players being on the courts.

At the Recreation Commission meeting on November 6th, Recreation Commissioners Kristen Belanger, Stephen Crowley and Kayla Cushman did open up the possibility of moving the Ferry St. court closure to a later date in 2023. After discussing some ideas that might mitigate Director Lapointe's concerns, the Commission agreed to have a second monthly meeting on November 20th. Lapointe was asked to gather additional information to better assist the Commissioner's with their deliberation of the issue, specifically the liability concern and the level of asphalt degradation that might occur as a result of continued play.

The November 20th Recreation Commission meeting was held remotely on ZOOM and attended by over 30 members of the public. New information regarding the existence of a 1 year warranty covering the courts, among other topics, was discussed. The company contracted for the resurfacing project advised Lapointe in an email dated November 8th they would void their 1 year warranty if the courts were utilized for play over the winter months. Although winter does not begin until December 21st, Commissioners Kristen Belanger, Kayla Cushman and Adriane Mampe voted in favor of keeping the courts closed. Outdoor courts in Westborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Northbridge, Upton, Sturbridge, Auburn, Webster and Princeton are some of the area venues that remain open for play.