Burlington's Central Park Fields Expected to Reopen After Thanksgiving

Burlington's only cricket field and the two baseball diamonds beside it have been shut since the spring, and the wait is nearly over. City staff expect to reopen the realigned Central Park fields sometime after Thanksgiving weekend, once weather and turf conditions allow.

The closure let the city move the cricket pitch within the park and reconfigure the ground around it. The 11 year old pitch sat between the two baseball diamonds, and neighbours and users had raised safety and playability concerns about that layout, including errant balls. A crew was still finishing the job on Monday, October 5, laying new sod around the pitch.

When the field does open, the cricket season will be a short one. Staff will allow permit-only cricket play through November 1, which is unusual, because the city does not normally issue cricket permits past Thanksgiving. Playing without a permit will not be allowed, and bylaw officers will enforce the restriction. Casual use of the baseball diamonds is fine once the cricket field reopens, as long as permitted cricket play is not running at the time.

Weather could still push the date back, or close the field again after it opens. A confirmed opening date will be posted on the city's cricket project page.

More cricket is on the way. An update on a purpose built, dedicated cricket field at Sherwood Forest Park goes to the new city council in December, with construction expected next year and completion in 2028.