Ballfields closed remainder of year

Ballfields closed for the remainder of the year

The town board voted last Tuesday to close the ballfields at Holmes Water Park for the remainder of the year, upholding a decision by the mayor a week earlier.
Mayor Ed Hughes said the decision came as a result of a softball game and a 911 call during which the caller reported gunshots being fired, fighting, gambling, and littering.
Hughes said the park normally closes at the end of September to begin setup of Christmas in the Park. He said aldermen will review rules covering rental of ballfields, rules of conduct, security, etc. Before reopening the fields in 2027.
A packed audience attended the meeting.
Ald. Fred Magee said he opposed closing the fields.
“This is about the kids,” he said. “If you shut down this, you need to shut down Christmas in the Park and the Dairy Festival.”
Magee said, “he feels the fields should remain open until the crowd gets out of hand, then law enforcements should step in and arrest the offenders.”
Meantime, he said the fields should remain open. He suggested the use of cameras and noted that “lots of people utilize the ballfields, both black and white.”
Aldermen voted 4-1 to uphold the closure of the fields for the remainder of the year, with Magee casting the lone opposing vote.