Chelmsford sports roundup, Sept. 28 to Oct. 4

CHELMSFORD --

TOWN -- At the Oct. 1 Finance Committee meeting, Precinct 5 resident John Ray presented Warrant Article 18, which would establish a committee to study restoring a Parks and Recreation Department in town. Ray, who said he has 42 years of experience working in a parks and recreation department in another community, told the committee the effort would rely on volunteers and would not seek town funding at this stage. He said recreation in Chelmsford "has been gradually unfunded" since the town once ran about 400 programs a year, and he suggested the planned committee look at gaps in current offerings, including activities for residents with special needs. Committee members noted that any volunteer-led programming involving youth would still require CORI background checks.

At the Sept. 28 Select Board meeting, Precinct 5 resident Phil Stanwy asked the board to protect public trail access at Sunny Meadow Farm. Stanwy said a nature trail built as an Eagle Scout project and a Storybook Trail built as a Girl Scout Gold Award project have both come under threat, one tied to a planned National Grid construction site and the other over concerns it crosses leased farmland. He asked the board to restore explicit trail protection in the farmer's lease and to allow winter access, including snow clearing, for the volunteers who maintain the paths.

YOUTH LEAGUES -- The Chelmsford Youth Soccer Association's Fall 2026 season is underway. The organization's website shows Fall registration open and lists field status updates during the week of Sept. 29 for its five town fields: South Row, McCarthy, Murphy, Harrington and Highland.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.