Wellesley's Playing Field Task Force cleared fall field permits for youth sports and confirmed a controversial barefoot soccer event will not return this year.
WELLESLEY --
TOWN -- Wellesley Recreation's 2026 Fall Brochure states that registration opens Monday, August 24 at 10 a.m. for residents and Monday, August 31 at 10 a.m. for non-residents; after-school program registration for fall begins September 8. The town's Playing Field Task Force, which includes representatives from the Natural Resources Commission, Recreation, the Board of Public Works, the schools and several youth sports groups, met August 14 and voted to approve field-use permits for user groups including Boys Lacrosse, Field Hockey and Football, reporting no scheduling conflicts this year.
HIGH SCHOOL -- Task force members said a new team room building at Wellesley High School has an install date of August 29, with delivery expected between August 26 and 28. The State Street parking lot will close for two days during installation, timed to avoid conflicting with the school's opening-day staff assembly on August 31 and with fall sports tryouts, which begin August 24. Officials said the building itself, once installed, will still need roofing, siding, doors and windows, and is not expected to be finished until "early to mid fall." A separate restroom building planned for Honeywell Field remains in design, with the project still awaiting stamped drawings and no installation date set for this year.
YOUTH LEAGUES -- Wellesley Youth Football will field only one team this season, task force members said, and the program requested reduced field time, no Saturday morning use and weekday practice Tuesday through Friday, with a single game most weekends once the league releases its schedule.
COMMUNITY -- The task force approved permits for a Wellesley Police versus Fire softball game, with organizers still working out start time to fit around a football practice, along with the Wellesley Mothers Forum's annual fall carnival and a Cub Scouts event. A separate application for a barefoot soccer event was withdrawn. Task force members said the event, once run as a charity event, is no longer supported by the schools, citing past concerns over alcohol and other substances and organizers' unwillingness to agree to new requirements, including having a parent present for the full event.
Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.