Field Use Policies & Procedures
All activities conducted on public playing fields managed by the Town of Braintree require a Field Permit issued by the Braintree Recreation Department. Permits are non-transferable and may be used only by the organization or individual identified as the permit holder.
Permit Holders are responsible for ensuring that all coaches, volunteers, parents/guardians, and participants comply with the following field-use policies and procedures. Full-time Braintree Recreation Department staff reserve the right to deny, suspend, or revoke permission for any activity or event on Recreation-managed property. Recreation staff, or any other individual authorized by the Town of Braintree, may also close a field or require an activity to end due to inclement weather, unsafe or poor field conditions or failure to comply with permitting policies.
Fees collected under this policy will support improvements and general maintenance of Town fields, including, but not limited to, mowing, weed control, fertilization, limited infield maintenance, trash collection, netting, fencing, and resurfacing, as needed.
I. USER PRIORITY
Field space will be permitted according to the following order of user priority:
- Braintree High School Athletics
- Town of Braintree
- Volunteer-based Braintree Organizations
- Private Rentals (75% or more Braintree participants required)
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Private Rentals
- First come, first served
II. ADDITIONAL PERMITS & LIABILITY
The Town of Braintree requires proof of a valid Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate for organizations wishing to rent Town of Braintree-managed athletic fields.
A. Certificate shall name the Town of Braintree (1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA 02184) as an “Additional Insured”, with the combined limit for Bodily Injury and Property Damage $1,000,000 for each occurrence and with a $3,000,000 annual aggregate.
B. The Permit Holder is responsible for verifying that all league officers, coaches, and volunteers in the organization that are working with children and older adults have been CORI checked and approved by the organization.
III. PROCEDURES & SCHEDULING
Individuals looking to reserve field space (either one-time or seasonally) must complete and return the Field Permit Application for consideration of a field permit by the Braintree Recreation Department.
A. Applicant must be 21 years of age or older and shall assume responsibility for the conduct of their organization.
B. One permit per field should include the field, all dates, days and times requested.
C. Application must include a certificate of insurance naming the Town of Braintree as an additionally insured, with limits referenced in Section II.
D. Attach any applicable food or certified camp permits from the Town of Braintree Department of Municipal Licenses & Inspections, if necessary.
E. The applicant is solely responsible for the permits and fulfillment of the regulation of the following:
a. Department of Municipal Licenses & Inspections permit to run a camp/clinic/program according to 105 CMR 430 (no reservation will be taken without a signed BOH permit classifying your organization)
b. State and local laws and bylaws
F. Deadlines
a. Prior to the start of each field season, application deadlines will be posted and distributed to the designated representative for each organization that had reserved a field the previous year. Deadlines will also be posted on the Braintree Recreation website.
b. Once the application window for a given season has closed, fields will be permitted pursuant to Section 1 of this document, “User Priority”, and on a first come, first served basis.
G. Fee
a. A deposit may be required before a permit is issued unless prior written approval is granted by the Recreation Director. The deposit will equal 50% of the estimated final permit fee and must be received by the deadline specified on the Field Permit Application.
b. Once rosters have been finalized, the organization may be required to submit a copy of the roster and pay remaining balance by the specified deadline listed on the Field Permit Application. Complete payment for field permits is due to the Recreation Department by the specified deadline listed on the Field Permit Application, otherwise the permit may be revoked. Failure to submit payment for a Field Permit fee is excluded from Section VI. Abuse of Policy and is therefore not considered a “first offense”.
IV. WEATHER POLICY
All field permits are issued with the understanding that fields may be closed due to inclement weather, maintenance needs, or at the discretion of the Braintree Recreation Department or Parks Department.
All field users must follow the “Golden Rule”: If steady rain is falling or standing water is present on a field or diamond, the field is not safe for use. Fields will automatically be closed during inclement weather or unfavorable conditions, including, but not limited to:
- Standing puddles of water on the field
- Footing is unsure or field surface is unsafe
- Walking on turf/infield produces water or ground is frozen
- Severe or inclement weather
- Lightning (you cannot play a game within ½ hour of the lightning)
During certain parts of the year, the Grounds and Recreation Departments will compile a Daily Field Status report that will be available on the Recreation Department website.
No refund or credit will be issued in the event of inclement weather, unless a field has been officially deemed “closed” by the Town of Braintree - if groups decide to cancel on their own, no refund will be issued.
Leagues and coaches are responsible for reviewing the field status report each day to confirm that fields are open and safe for use. Field status updates posted on Friday may remain in effect throughout the weekend. During that time, organization representatives must use their best judgment when evaluating field conditions, as guidance from Town staff may not be available outside regular office hours.
Improper use of field surfaces may negatively affect playability for the remainder of the season. The Permit Holder or Organization may be held financially responsible for repairs when play occurs under unsafe conditions and results in excessive damage, or when unauthorized alterations are made to a field. Failure to reimburse the Town for required repairs may result in the revocation of current permits and the denial of future permit applications.
V. FIELD RULES & REGULATIONS
Permit Holders are required to sign-off that they have read and will comply with all rules and conditions. Any breach of these rules and conditions may be grounds for revocation of any permit.
A. Etiquette All participants using Braintree fields under an approved permit must conduct themselves appropriately at all times. This includes respecting neighboring properties and remaining off private property. If a ball enters a neighboring property, players, coaches, and spectators must not enter the property to retrieve it. Some Braintree fields include restroom facilities. At locations where restrooms are not available, Permit Holders are responsible for making appropriate alternative arrangements. Under no circumstances may any player, coach, or spectator use any portion of a field or adjacent public or private property for restroom purposes.
B. Trash Permit Holders are responsible for ensuring that all fields and facilities are left in the same condition as received, or cleaner, after each use. All trash, litter, and debris from sidelines, dugouts, spectator areas, and other areas used by the organization must be collected and properly disposed of in designated trash or recycling receptacles, where available. Permit Holders must remove any excessive or bulky trash generated by their use, including pizza boxes, equipment packaging, and uniform supply boxes. Trash must not be placed or stacked around receptacles, as doing so may attract animals and interfere with collection. Trash barrels are emptied on a scheduled basis by the Highway Division of the Braintree Department of Public Works. To report a barrel requiring attention, contact the Recreation Department at (781) 794-8900.
C. Parking Parking by facility users, including participants, staff, and spectators, must be properly controlled. All vehicles associated with the Permit Holder’s organization must be parked legally and only in authorized parking areas. Vehicles are strictly prohibited from being driven or parked on any field area at any time. If the permitted facility does not have an on-site parking lot, vehicles must be parked legally curbside on the field side of the street. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed in accordance with posted parking regulations. The Permit Holder is responsible for advising all participants and spectators of applicable parking requirements. Failure to comply with posted parking regulations may result in suspension or revocation of the permit.
D. Public Address Systems Public address systems may not be used before 10:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. for any approved event. Use of lighted fields or facilities is permitted only if all lights are turned off by 11:00 p.m.
E. Field Information Public athletic fields in Braintree are maintained by the Braintree Department of Public Works using industry-standard materials. The use of any materials not supplied on-site is strictly prohibited, as they may damage or alter the composition of field surfaces. No field may be altered without prior approval from the Braintree Recreation Department. Unauthorized alterations may result in permit revocation, and the Permit Holder or Organization may be held financially responsible for any resulting repairs. Coaches are encouraged to rotate goal locations during practices to reduce concentrated wear. Painting or lining athletic fields may only be performed by the Braintree Department of Public Works unless prior authorization has been granted. Natural-grass fields are especially vulnerable to damage in early spring, generally from late March through April, and in late fall, generally from October through November, when grass growth is limited.
F. Damage to Fields or Public/Private Property Any field condition or infrastructure damage that may affect play, including damage caused by excessive wear or vandalism, must be reported to the Recreation Department immediately. Permit Holders must also report any damage to public or private property that occurs during a permitted activity to the Recreation Department or, when appropriate, the Braintree Police Department.
G. Alcohol and Open Flames Alcohol and open flames are strictly prohibited on all fields, parks, playgrounds, and other public facilities in Braintree. The Town’s Open Container by-law prohibits the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, or being under the influence of alcohol, at public facilities, including associated parking lots and public ways. This restriction applies to all participants, staff, and spectators. Smoking is also prohibited at all times on School Department property in accordance with state law. Permit Holders are responsible for ensuring that all individuals affiliated with their organization are aware of and comply with these restrictions. Violations may be subject to fines and may result in the immediate suspension or revocation of the permit.
H. Dogs Permit Holders are responsible for ensuring that all dogs accompanying their group remain leashed at all times. The person responsible for the dog must also promptly clean up and properly dispose of all animal waste.
I. High School Athletics When a Braintree High School or Archbishop Williams High School athletic team is participating in a competitive game or match against another school, the event must be allowed to conclude without interruption and will take priority over any permit scheduled immediately afterward. Permitted users waiting to access the field must remain off the entire playing surface, including the sidelines, and ensure that their participants do not interfere with the event in progress.
VI. ABUSE OF POLICY
The following steps may be taken in the event of any violations to these policies and procedures:
First offense: Written warning to the head of the Organization and/or Permit Holder.
Second offense: $250 fine and suspension to the team or organization from practicing on the fields for one week.
Third offense: $500 fine and forfeiture of a team or organization’s privilege to either practice or play games on Town of Braintree facilities for the remainder of the season. Future permits may be withheld.