GREENFIELD — For the first time since 2021, Court Square will stay open to motorists year-round, closing only for special events that require pedestrian access.

The city began seasonally closing Court Square to vehicles in 2021 when it adopted a pilot street reconfiguration funded by the state Department of Transportation’s Shared Streets and Spaces Program. Although the pilot drew criticism from residents — some of whom petitioned the city to reverse it, claiming it negatively impacted local business by rerouting traffic — former Economic Development Director MJ Adams previously said public feedback on the road closure had been “overwhelmingly positive,” and the city continued closing the plaza to vehicles between April and November.

“I believe that our new approach to Court Square balances maintaining the roadway’s accessibility while still activating the space for great community gatherings,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher wrote in a statement upon announcing the city’s plans for Court Square this year.

Speaking on the mayor’s behalf, Desorgher’s Communications Director Matthew Conway said the area will still be used as a pedestrian-only community space during city events such as the Greenfield Farmers’ Market, Winter Carnival or Greenfield Recreation Department’s cornhole tournament. He said Desorgher’s decision came from repeated public criticism about the road closures she heard during her mayoral campaign and the goal of making City Hall more accessible to residents who are elderly or have disabilities.

“When Mayor Desorgher ran and campaigned last fall, she knocked on over 2,000 doors, and throughout those conversations, the repeated comment was constituents wanting to see Court Square open,” Conway said. “A lot of people park on Court Square [to access City Hall], and especially for people with mobility issues, or our senior community, it is a lot more accessible of an entrance for City Hall.”

Seated outside City Hall on Monday, Greenfield resident Joe Reynolds said he supported Desorgher’s decision as it makes it easier for drivers to access City Hall. Reynolds also noted that he hasn’t seen a lot of pedestrian traffic since the city began closing the plaza in 2021.

“I think it’s great,” Reynolds said. “This makes it a lot easier for everybody, keeps traffic moving through faster. … It’s been pretty quiet around here anyway.”

Other residents, such as Kelly Desmond, said she enjoyed having the area closed to traffic during the summer, since it served as a safe outdoor gathering space for families. She said closing the street sporadically during the summer made for a confusing situation for drivers. Jennifer Bido, who works in Greenfield, also said she preferred to keep the space open for pedestrian access, noting that the area is a great spot for “gathering and social connection.”

“I think they should keep it closed so that people can enjoy the area without having to worry that one of their kids will get hit by a car crossing the street,” Desmond said.

Court Square will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays from April 27 to Oct. 26 for the Greenfield Farmers’ Market and Saturday, May 4, for Greenfield Recreation’s Firework Fundraiser Cornhole Tournament, starting at 3 p.m.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.