Burlington's rebuilt Central Park cricket pitch is set to reopen after Thanksgiving, with permit-only play until Nov. 1

What's happening

Construction of the new cricket pitch at Central Park is nearing completion, according to a City staff memo (CSS-23-26) in Council's October 2 information package. Work over the summer moved the pitch further into the park and made other improvements intended to better separate cricket from surrounding properties and other park uses. New sod has been installed and needs time to establish before the field can take play.

In an update posted on Get Involved Burlington on October 5, the City said staff anticipate reopening in mid-October, after Thanksgiving, weather and turf conditions permitting. The field stays closed until staff confirm it is ready, the reopening will be announced through park signage and City communications, and the field may close again if weather or turf conditions require it.

The rules from reopening to November 1

The memo says the City would normally stop issuing permits for the field after Thanksgiving. Because of the late reopening, staff will run a short permit-only period through November 1, 2026, at the hours shared at the City's June public information centre.

From November 2

Starting Monday, November 2, the City says casual cricket without a permit will be allowed during regular park hours, provided the field is open, which it describes as consistent with other parks and sports. By-law will continue to deal with amplified sound and play outside regular park hours. The City says sounds that come with play, such as cheering, bat-on-ball contact and conversation, are not violations, and asks residents to call By-law at 905-335-7777 with enforcement concerns rather than approach players.

What comes next

The memo is an interim update on Council's June 23, 2026 direction on cricket in Central Park (COW-15-26). A fuller response, including planning for future cricket facilities and work related to Sherwood Forest Park, is anticipated to come to Council in December 2026. A new Parks By-law (By-law 40-2026), passed as of July 21, 2026, is intended to help with enforcement.

The City's project page says Central Park remains Burlington's only cricket field and that the 2024 Live and Play Plan identifies the need for three new cricket facilities by 2051. Separately, the City is in early planning to renew the west side of Sherwood Forest Park with a new playground, cricket pitch and splash pad, with more extensive public engagement planned for early 2027.