At the latest monthly meeting, on Monday, May 10, the East River Neighborhood Association (ERNA) covered many issues, but the main course was Ross Field and, specifically, the city’s response to numerous years-long complaints from neighbors regarding noise disturbances, public urination and blocked driveways during the softball season.

Zoe Petty announced her one-year anniversary as Office of Neighborhood Services Hyde Park Neighborhood Liaison before getting into what she called “the most interesting” topic of the meeting. Petty also mentioned the New Parks Commissioner Diana Fernandez Bibeau and fretted that she might have been mispronouncing her name. But, Bibeau is pertinent to the residents surrounding Ross Field, as she will be the key person to turn to in terms of fixing issues between softball league participants and their guests who have caused most of the mentioned problems over the weekends when residents are simply trying to be in their homes.

Petty said the issue has persisted over the last few summers, most recently last summer where residents reached out to District 5 City Councilor Enrique Pepén’s office, Petty’s department, and the Parks Department to advocate for changes this year. A couple of the residents interjected that the issues have been going on for years, with numerous complaints to 311 and the Parks Department.

Petty then read the official statement from the Parks Department: “For the upcoming season we have reached an agreement to allow play to move forward with a few conditions. One, games will not be scheduled on holiday weekends. Two, field use will be limited to two diamonds at a time and three, permitted hours will run from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. These measures are intended to reduce impacts on neighbors while still providing consistent access for the league. The league was also reminded of park rules and regulations.”

Petty summarized the points in a neutral tone and said said she hopes having a new commissioner who has outlined guidelines will help reduce frustrations. Residents expressed some cautious optimism.

In addition to the changes in guidelines, Petty said that she and Pepén’s office have created the idea of a meet-and-greet between the sports leagues for neighbors to actually see each other face-to-face and connect, and once the league does start people know each other.

ERNA President Barbara Hamilton interjected some concern on this meet-and-greet and said she wanted police representation and Councilor Pepén present, as well as the Parks Commissioner. Resident Mark Oliver issued a firm “thank you” to Hamilton’s comment. He and his wife Joy have been two of the most vocal advocates of intervention on Ross Field to halt the variety of disturbances that occur almost every weekend of the softball season. Hamilton said over the years the residents have had a lot of animosity toward the league and in this meet-and-greet opportunity they wanted to start the new relationship off correctly with the city officials present. Petty said Pepén will definitely be there, and she will request the commissioner’s presence as well.

Hamilton also expressed doubt about “no games during the holidays” since the park does not close. Though permitted games may not be allowed, people can simply show up so she requested the police patrol the area seven days a week.

A resident named Valarie asked why the parking lot gates are permanently closed. As a resident of 39 years, she says she needs to park on the street in order to go to the park. Petty said criminal activity took place years ago. Joy Oliver interjected and said it was a shooting. Petty continued that in order to keep the gates open someone would need to be responsible and currently no one is. so the solution has been to keep the gates permanently closed. Special events have allowed for an opening of the gates, but with police presence. “It’s a tricky situation,” Petty said, and she has been dealing with the issue since last summer.

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Joy Oliver added, the problem has been going on for years. She remembered the issue when former District 5 City Councilor Tim McCarthy was their city councilor, as a reference of how long it has been. On a mostly positive note, Joy Oliver said the softball league is complying with the new conditions except for the noise levels. Little league and soccer teams have also started using the field and seem to be abiding by the rules apart from the noise, and she questioned what authority to contact in terms of that.

As a general note of community, Joy Oliver mentioned a Boston Globe article about South Boston and Mission Hill neighborhood groups asking for help on rowdy behavior, and the Parks Department remaining unresponsive. She recommended people read the article just to reinforce that Hyde Park is not alone. “Other people are putting pressure on the Parks Department to step up their game and step up the conditions where park users and neighbors can coexist.”

Petty reminded everyone that she would soon pick a date for the meet-and-greet.

In other news, Petty announced a volunteer opportunity for residents to read to children from the Chittick Elementary School in Hyde Park, sometime in early June. She said it was a great moment to hang out with the kids.

Other issues discussed were the housing variations regarding 250-253 Wood Ave, mostly in regard to parking. Community members seemed disappointed that the variations made their way through without much communication. Eddie Conley, Pepén’s representative, explained that once the Zoning Board of Appeals approves variances, the mandated community engagement ends. “Some developers will be very good neighbors and will continue to work with the neighborhood throughout the project and make sure things are going well. Obviously this is not one of those cases.”