Boston – In a time of tight public budgets, the Gateway City Parks Program, provides a welcome opportunity for twenty two cities in Massachusetts to receive state grants to further park and recreational projects. Approximately $5 million in funding from the Environmental Bond Bill is allocated annually to park projects in these Gateway Cities for land acquisition, environmental clean-up, planning, design and construction. With
this program, the Patrick Administration is partnering with cities to restore or create clean, safe places for children and families to enjoy close to home. The program is open to communities with a population greater than 35,000 and with median annual household incomes, per capita incomes and educational attainment levels below the state average.
Since 2009, Brown, Richardson & Rowe, Landscape Architects and Planners (BRR) has been helping the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to identify projects in these cities by meeting with cityleaders and visiting properties if interest. EEA has funded millions of dollars worth of projects and will continue to fund a wide range of projects. Here are some examples.
People of all ages are looking forward to the new riverfront park in Fitchburg, MA
The City of Fitchburg received $375,000 to acquire a 5.5 acre parcel along the Nashua River in its downtown and an additional $1.1 million dollars for the design and construction of a riverfront park on this parcel. Brown, Richardson & Rowe, with subconsultant, Fay, Spofford and Thorndike designed a riverwalk, community gardens and an amphitheater, saw the project through the permitting process and put the project out to bid. Construction of the park began in April 2011.
New water spray facility, Swasey Park, Haverhill, Massachusetts
The City of Haverhill received $151,000 to produce design and construction documents for the renovation of 100 year old Swasey Park. This 14 acre park was originally built for the millworkers. The city plans to celebrate the park’s birthday with a series of phased improvements. BRR and FST designed an accessible water spray park, an accessible perimeter path and spur paths leading to neighborhood entrances, new back stops, team benches, small bleachers, new skinned infields at each baseball field, and sledding hill.
Frederick Douglass Bandstand, Lynn Commons, Lynn, Massachusetts
The City of Lynn has received $40,000. for a master plan and cost estimate for the rehabilitation of the historic 8. 8 acre Lynn Commons. Since 1630, Lynn has had a common. In the nineteenth century, when Lynn was the shoe capital of the world, the shapes of the two sections of the Lynn Commons were refined to look like a shoe. In the middle of the sole, there is a handsome late Victorian bandstand. Brown, Richardson & Rowe and McGinley Kalsow & Associates prepared a master plan that illustrates ways to respect the historic character of this traditional New England Common in all restoration and rehabilitation projects, improve park safety, improve the durability of all park furnishings and improve accessibility throughout the park.
Children will learn about the birds and fish that live in the Mill River from drawings etched in granite panels in
this new park in Taunton, Massachusetts
In 2009, the Mayor, the Economic Development Director and the Taunton River Watershed Alliance met with EEA and Brown, Richardson & Rowe to discuss an opportunity for a new park in the City of Taunton. The site is in the municipal parking lot behind City Hall in downtown Taunton and abuts the Mill River, a tributary of the Taunton River, designated as a “Wild and Scenic River”. BRR, FST and the Horsley Witten Group have designed a riverwalk, interpretive signage and seating area and improved management of storm water runoff with bioretention and permeable paving. This project will improve water quality in the river and establish the first section of the Mill River river walk. EEA has awarded Taunton $1,075,000 for design and construction. Construction of the new downtown park and walkway along the Mill River will begin in May 2011.
Other cities that have received assistance from the Gateway Cities Parks Program include Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Westfield and Worcester.