Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
In a time of tight public budgets, the Patrick-Murray Administration's 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 for land acquisition, environmental clean-up, planning, design and construction.
Since 2009, Brown, Richardson & Rowe, Inc., 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 City leaders and visiting properties of interest. EEA has funded millions of dollars worth of projects and will continue to do so. Here are a few examples.
Fitchburg received a Gateways grant to acquire 5.5 acres along the Nashua River in its downtown and additional money for the design and construction of a riverfront park on the parcel. BRR with subconsultant, Fay, Spofford and Thorndike (FST) designed a passive park, community gardens and an amphitheater, saw the project through permitting and bidding. Construction of the park began in May 2011.
Haverhill received a grant for design and construction documents for the renovation of 14 acre Swasey Park, built for millworkers 100 years ago. The city is celebrating the park's birthday with park improvements including an accessible water spray park, an accessible path system, new ball fields and a sledding hill.
The Mayor, Economic Development Director and the Taunton River Watershed Alliance met with EEA and BRR in 2009 to discuss an opportunity for a new river walk in Taunton behind City Hall along the Mill River, a tributary of the Taunton River. BRR, FST and the Horsley Witten Group also designed interpretive signage, seating areas and improved management of storm water. Construction began in May 2011.
Other cities that have received assistance from this program include Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Westfield and Worcester. The program benefits cities with populations greater than 35,000 with median annual incomes, per capita incomes and educational attainment levels below the state average. The intent is to restore or create new clean, safe places for adults and children to enjoy close to home.
