The Essex Junction Recreation and Parks (EJRP) Department has stopped moving forward with the conversion of the lighted baseball field at Maple Street Park into a multi-purpose field. The decision was made on Thursday night, after the Recreation Advisory Council (RecPAC) meeting, where more than 50 residents attended to voice their concerns over the proposed changes.

The RecPAC consist of eight members of the community who advise EJRP’s staff, serving as their conduit to the community. After discussing the proposed conversion of the field for nearly an hour, the council voted that, “at this time the Recreation Advisory Council makes the recommendation to not continue with the baseball field conversion as originally planned.”

The administration for the Department concurred, noting that the community has vocalized a strong affinity to the baseball field.

“We appreciate having the feedback from the community on this project,” said EJRP Director Brad Luck. “We work for the community and look out for the community’s best interest. In theory, we thought this field conversion project would have been beneficial, but in practice, it is clear there are many good reasons to keep the baseball field here at the park.”

Luck said he was pleased to see the turnout at the meeting and to have productive dialogue on the issue.

The RecPAC meets again on Thursday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Maple Street Recreation Center.