As most everyone is aware, the parking situation at Griffin Park continues to present issues in the afternoon and - more specifically - on Saturdays - for all park patrons. This fall season, WSA took measures to reduce the number of games and practices going on concurrently at Griffin Park to try and help reduce the strain on the parking lot. Despite our best efforts, where in some cases we reduced the WSA specific traffic by as much as 50%, we are still seeing times where there is no parking to be had. Please note the following comments/suggestions presented with the assistance of the Recreation Department:
1) the areas marked No Parking are along state controlled roads and not town owned roads (i.e. Range Road). We cannot encourage anyone to park in these marked areas.
2) there are other events that occur at Griffin Park, both sponsored organizations (baseball, lacrosse), sponsored events (Hoops For Hope this coming weekend, the Annual Harvest Day in October, etc.) as well as impromptu visits and usage by residents. We have worked diligently to try and mitigate any conflict with larger events whenever possible, but we must remember that Griffin Park is a benchmark for recreation facilities in Southern New Hampshire, and draws significant crowds due to its variety of offerings for both families and individuals alike. It is a fantastic sight to look across the park on any given Saturday and see the sea of people enjoying the park, with players on every field, youngsters on the playground, and the geese ... well ... the geese being geese.
3) whenever possible - please considering carpooling, especially for Games and Practices, and allow extra time. While this may not always possible, each car that is eliminated from the parking lot is one less concern for everyone. If you live in different parts of the town, considering meeting at the Park and Ride next to McDonald's and carpooling from there. If you are attending a game and have friends or loved ones joining you, please consider having them meet you at your home instead of at the park. The inconvenience of an hour spent with a neighbor or friend may be much better than the inconvenience of the infamous Parking Lot Parade, as we circle and circle like a game of musical chairs, PRAYING that one person will leave when we are near to their spot and the music stops ... or the mere risk of being ticketed along one of the nearby roadways.
4) Uber ... OK ... not really, but it seems like every facility that has parking issues nowadays seems to list Uber as an option ... so ... :0)
5) MOST IMPORTANT - and please share with friends, neighbors, etc. - GRIFFIN PARK IS A ONE WAY ACCESS!! Enter ONLY at the entrance next to Johnson's Farm, choose either of the 2 lanes, and exit ONLY at the end closest to Squire Armour. DO NOT go up one side and come down the other ... again ... the entire parking lot is ONE WAY ONLY. More than once we have seen people making this grave error and put others at risk.
We at WSA will continue to do what we can when planning out our seasons and events, working with the Town and other organizations in town, trying and reduce the strain on the parking, but do ask for your help as well. Together ... we are CONFIDENT we can make this work!!
Enjoy the fall season!!
Jamie Manti
President, WSA
