Frequently Asked Questions

Mendon Parks and Recreation Refund & Cancellation Policies

Adopted by the Parks Commission on May 10, 2018.

Amended January 13, 2021, 2/15/22, 5/29/24

Refund Policy

Refund Policy

A full refund will be issued if a program is canceled by the Parks Department for any reason. There will be no cancellation fee. The user will be contacted and asked to choose between a refund or a user credit. If no response is received within 7 days, a user credit will be posted to the user's account.

Requests for withdrawal/changes to registrations must be received at least 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the program to be eligible for a refund. All refunds may be subject to a $25 cancellation fee.

Withdrawals less than 14 days in advance may be eligible for user credit for future parks programming. Please review specific program policies below for more details.

Please Note

Every effort will be made to refund payments onto the card used for the initial transaction. However, the Department reserves the right to issue refunds in the form of a paper check through the Town. These checks may take 4 to 5 weeks to process. You may be required to provide verification of your address and/or sign a W-9 form for a refund to be issued.

User Credit will be posted to your account and may be used for any applicable purchase, including parks programs, beach admission, or snack shack concessions. Any credits not used within a 24-month period may be forfeited.

All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Parks Department either via email or U.S. Mail.

Email Park Commission or

Mail: Mendon Parks Department 20 Main Street Mendon, MA 01756

Program Policies

Kids 'N' Us Recreation Program

The Rec Program runs rain or shine. We have an indoor facility in case of inclement weather. The program runs from 8 am to 5 pm, and there will be no refunds for participants attending late or leaving early.

Update 2022

We are no longer offering make-up days. Swaps/Changes to registrations will be permitted up to 2 weeks before the date of attendance.

A 50% deposit is required to hold a registration spot. Any changes to registrations are subject to our general refund policy.

Changes/cancellations with less than 14 days' notice will forfeit the 50% deposit along with any additional payment made towards 100% of the total due. At our discretion, if we can fill the spot from the wait list, we will offer user credit only for cancellations with less than 14 days' notice.

Requests for refunds in situations with extenuating medical circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be referred to the Parks Commission for review. Documentation may be requested.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons are held rain or shine and will only be canceled for severe weather. To receive text message notifications of cancellations, please ensure your cell phone is properly registered with your account.

If lessons are canceled, make-ups will be held by the class schedule. Please review the make-up dates listed for each session.

All Payments are FINAL, and refunds will only be issued by our general refund policy. Requests for refunds in situations with extenuating medical circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our refund policy and may be referred to the Parks Commission for review. Documentation may be requested.

Town Beach

The Mendon Town Beach may close due to inclement weather. Per our rules, the water will be cleared for 20 minutes following the sound of thunder. Refunds or "Rain Checks" on admissions are NOT issued. Customers are advised to check the local forecast before planning a trip.

For the current beach status, please check our Facebook Page

Fitness Classes

In the case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted to the Mendon Parks Department Facebook Page. If the Mendon Upton Regional School District cancels school or has an early dismissal, fitness classes will be canceled. In the event of a cancellation, make-ups will be scheduled by the instructor. All registrations are subject to our refund policy.

The recreational fields and facilities of the town of Mendon are open to the public. Anyone wishing to reserve a particular location must apply for a permit through the Parks Department. Once issued a permit, these groups will have priority access to that location. Any organized group, team, or event looking to use the fields must apply for a Field Use Permit through the Parks Department

• Visit the Facility Use Page for Field Use info and forms.

The Town of Mendon EIN is 04-6001218. If you need a receipt, please check your email for the receipts you were emailed when you registered in Rec1.

We can also send you a complete account statement. Email Park Commission

Lake Access

Adjacent to the Mendon Town Beach (45 Taft Avenue) is a small access path for non-motorized crafts (kayaks, canoes, etc) completed by Eagle Scout David Fleury on 7/21/11 and updated by Eagle Scout Eddie Shea in 2020. All boats must be carried down to the water as the ramp is not wide enough for trailers.

There is no public access or boat ramp on the lake for any motorized watercraft requiring a trailer.

Yes, please visit the Mendon Parks Financial Assistance Policy and Application to submit an application for assistance. 

To create a clear, consistent, and fair policy, the Mendon Parks Department does not allow ANY flotation device at the Mendon Town Beach other than Coast Guard-approved lifejackets. It is our position that flotation devices encourage unsafe behavior, create a false sense of security, and generally increase risks to non-swimmers.

Unapproved flotation devices are NOT meant for lifesaving and are simply toys. They are often cheaply made and may fail. Coast Guard-approved devices are specifically designed and tested to ensure safety. A Coast Guard-approved type I life jacket is designed to keep an incapacitated person's head and face up out of the water.

Unapproved devices can slide off, pop, or float a child face down. Water wings can slide off and even trap a drowning child underwater. With any device, a child can easily float away and into deep water.

We do allow "Puddle Jumper" type PFDs as long as they are Coast Guard-approved. These devices differ from simple water wings by having the 2 arm bands connected across the back to prevent them from slipping off.

• Please watch this video to see an example of the dangers of a Non-Swimmer Using an Inflatable

If your child is wearing a lifejacket, please be sure that the device is properly sized and adjusted before they enter the water.

• Please view this video for Properly Fitting a Lifejacket

Lifejackets (PFDs) are NOT allowed at the far dock, and children wearing them should be under the direct supervision of an adult.

All youth sport groups in Mendon are volunteer-run organizations not affiliated with the recreation department. Please visit their websites for registration information.

• Visit the Mendon Sports and Recreation Links for links to Mendon sports groups.