Article 22 Crowder Presentation¶
Sec. 2 Protection of Parks
Sec. 11 Violations & Fines
Elaine Crowder
TMM Precinct 19
Town Meeting 2026
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment / Title IV, Art.1
Rev. 4/27/26
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McClennen
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The
Issue
Hill’s
Hill
Hattie Symmes
Park
The Reservoir
- Slide at McClennen
- Graffiti at Turkey Hill
- 5x5x3 Hole at Hill’s Hill
Park users are damaging Arlington parks.
There are negligible consequences.
Turkey Hill
Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
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Ballfield at Burns Arena
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Cars have driven on
playing fields
- Hill’s Hill Soccer Field 3/11/26
- Magnolia/Thorndike
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Treasure hunters
have dug them up
3/14/26
Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
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Hill’s Hill Jump
aiming at low berm & high wall
Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
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What are the consequences for
doing damage to parks per current
Arlington bylaw?
A $20 fine
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
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Title IV, Article I, Section 2.
Protection of
Parks
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Article 22: Amend IV, 1, 2
Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
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Title IV, Article I, Section 2. Protection of Parks
Current bylaw does not reflect Arlington parks as they
are today.
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
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Wellington Park
8
road, walk, lawn
or beach
Conjures
images of
a city park
Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
McClennen
The Reservoir
Shrub,
Tree.…
sign, bench, seat, platform,
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
Courts, Fields &
Expensive court, field &
playground surfaces need
protection
Playgrounds
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Spy Pond Field
Wellington Park Courts
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
Naturalized
Areas
10
10
Wooded Habitat at Menotomy Rocks
Majestic Rock Features at Turkey Hill
Trail in the Crusher woodlands
Valuable park habitats need protecting
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Hill’s Pond - Menotomy Rocks Park
Article 22: Bylaw Amendment / IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
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1.
Aquatic
habitat &
shoreline
3.
11
Page 12
Article 22: IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
Expensive court & field
surfaces need protection
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Park Habitats
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Aquatic Habitat at the Reservoir
Meadow and Edge Habitat at Hill’s Hill
Aquatic Habitat at the Reservoir
Riparian area along Mill Brook - Wellington Pk.
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Title IV, Article I, Section 2.
Creates a fuller picture of what to value and respect in
Arlington parks
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment / IV, A1, S2: Protection of Parks Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
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Title IV, Article I, Section 11,
Violations and Fines
Bump up fine for damaging parks to $100, adding a
fourth tier to the bylaw.
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment / IV, A1, S11: Violations & Fines Elaine Crowder, TMM Pct. 19
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Concerns heard …
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
● Introduces some subjectivity/confusion about what’s a violation
Remedy: Added exemption for normal wear and tear
● $300 fine excessive - Remedy: Reduced fine to $100
● Minors the likely violators
- Photos showed damage due to adult actions.
- Town Counsel: “Minors are named, legal guardians are
responsible”
● Enforcement burdensome, no authority, no capacity/ budget
- Enforcement is required for both the unamended bylaw and as
amended; it’s an administrative matter
- not unique to Article 22 - an issue for all bylaws
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Proactive Remedies …
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
“Corrective action should take place through education.”
YES!
Education can best prevent misuse of
park property.
- This article is an initial step toward education
- We all have a role to play in education: Town Staff,
Commissions, Town Meeting Members, Residents
Gh
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Title IV, Article I, Amend Section 2.
Protections & Section 11 Fines
Thank you for
your support!
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Article 22: Bylaw Amendment /Use of Areas Under Control of the Parks Department, Elaine Crowder TMM PCT 19
