National Park Service urges residents to voice opinions on Morley Park conversion

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — The National Park Service is urging residents of Pawtucket to consider how they want Morley Field to be used in the future.

In early June, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management approved of the city’s conversion application for the usage of McCoy Stadium and Dunnell Park/Hank Soar Field, but asked for recommendations from the NPS on the proposal for Morley Field.

The NPS said it has “no authority to affect local decision-making” for the change of the usage of the field, which is a Land and Water Conservation Fund site.

Residents should instead voice their concerns directly to the city.

“It is the City of Pawtucket, working with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, that will decide how this land is utilized,” NPS spokesperson Kevin Klyberg said. “Then they must submit to NPS a complete and thorough application to convert the site from outdoor recreation to a different use. NPS will review the application to ensure that all the provisions of the LWCF Act and Regulations are met and conduct all the required consultations and notifications. Only then can the conversion be approved by NPS.”

Klyberg added that the NPS will not “acquire or otherwise take ownership” of the property after the review process.