Park Commission previews $4.2 million Cow Pond plan

Park Commission · Meeting of April 15, 2026

Groton's Park Commission previewed a $4.2 million plan to overhaul Cow Pond Fields ahead of a May 2 Town Meeting vote requiring two-thirds approval. Commission CPC representative Jack Petropoulos told residents the bonded project would cost Groton taxpayers $2.56 million, or 61 percent of the total, after a $1 million federal grant and a projected $640,000 state Community Preservation Act match, leaving 50 to 64 percent of the town's $1.1 million in annual CPA revenue available for other projects. The plan would add roughly 295 parking spaces, accessible pathways and Dark Sky-compliant athletic lighting while resolving a longstanding state permit violation.

Member Mark Presti called the financing "a very light imprint for such a big gain." Resident Darcy Donald urged protections for turtles and salamanders nesting at the site. The commission took no vote on the project itself, voting only to adjourn at 9 p.m.

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• Groton's community access TV: Park Commission meeting, April 15, 2026
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Source: the Park Commission meeting of April 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.