- Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Media Contact for Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Over $6 Million in Land and Water Conservation Grants to Support Parks and Open Spaces
Danielle Burney, Deputy Communications Director
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $6.6 million in grant funding to make parkland and trail improvements and preserve and protect land in Massachusetts. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is awarding Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants to ten cities and towns in partnership with the National Park Service. The LWCF grants are funded through the sales of federal offshore oil and gas leases, the proceeds of which are then used to support public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.
“The ability to work, play, and enjoy our outdoor spaces is a matter of environmental justice,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This program is another example of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s efforts to ensure our outdoor recreational areas are fairly and evenly distributed among all Massachusetts communities. From a new splash pad to cool off in the summer to an accessible town green for all people to gather, these grants will go a long way to bringing communities together outdoors.”
The LWCF Grant Program was established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard the country’s natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage and provide everyone with recreational opportunities. The Fund provides up to 50 percent of the total project cost for acquiring land or developing and renovating parkland. Since the program’s inception, more than $130 million has been directed to the Commonwealth’s parks and open spaces.
“The Malden River Works project is a community-led plan to create a climate resilient waterfront park on the Malden River, featuring a greenway, floating dock, new trees and native plants, and park space which is open to the public and built with accessibility in mind,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m pleased to see that Environmental Justice communities are receiving the attention they deserve. Thank you to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the National Park Service for providing this support to the City of Malden and Malden River Works.”
“I commend the Healey Administration and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for their commitment in awarding $1 million to Springfield Bike & Skate Park at Gurdon Bill Park,” said State Representative Carlos González. “This investment will greatly benefit Springfield residents, providing enhanced green spaces for a healthier and eco-friendly environment and promoting biking, recreation, and exercise. It is essential that these funds are distributed equitably, ensuring that all Massachusetts citizens, regardless of background or location, can enjoy open spaces. I am grateful that these grants uphold the mission of inclusivity and accessibility.”
Projects receiving LWCF grants are:
|
MUNICIPALITY |
PROJECT NAME |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
GRANT RECOMMENDATION |
|
Boston |
Renovation of Clifford Playground |
The project will switch one of the softball fields to a little league field; shift the location of the baseball field; add a water spray area in the enlarged universally accessible playground and a multi-sport court, relocate the basketball court, add pickleball markings to the relocated tennis court, adult fitness stations to the enhanced walking trail, a plaza with new cafe style and game tables, a dog park, shade covering to the players' benches, drinking fountains/bottle filling stations, and a rain garden with plantings and an interpretive sign; plant 15 new trees; and swap out old sport lighting for LED sport lighting. |
$1,000,000 |
|
Dedham |
Dedham Town Green |
The project will create a fully accessible, free-standing structure that will provide shade and shelter from the weather, accessible furniture, a variety of types of seating for wheelchair accessibility and multi-generational access, non-slip pavers with minimal joint spacing, and a reduction in the number of curb cuts, ADA-compliant water fountain and dog water bowl for service animals. |
$500,000 |
|
Holden |
Spring Ledge Farm |
The project will acquire a 112-acre area, next to 100 conserved acres to the east (White Oak Land Conservation Society’s “Puffer/ Heiniger property”) and a 1000-acre Four Town Greenway to the south. |
$620,000 |
|
Malden |
Malden River Works Park |
The project will construct a fully accessible path from the park to Commercial Street lined with over 60 trees and a small, landscaped stormwater retention area fronting Commercial Street with bioswales to retain and clean stormwater, a small bridge over the bioswale, benches, and lighting, and native plantings. |
$654,187 |
|
Medford |
Carr Park Renovation |
The project will build a universally accessible 4-season playground; integrated water play features; a shaded central plaza; repurpose boulders and removed debris from the woodland for decor and natural play; install interpretive signage discussing solar energy and climate resilient features at the park; accessible seating and picnic tables; a drinking fountain with bottle filler; pedestrian lighting; and care and pruning for existing trees and planting of additional trees and shrubbery. |
$1,000,000 |
|
Natick |
Pickerel Pond Trail Connector |
The project will design and construct a boardwalk to connect north and south Pickerel Pond. |
$150,000 |
|
Springfield |
Springfield Bike & Skate Park at Gurdon Bill Park |
The project will include the installation of bike & skate park features, accessible splash pad, playground and picnic amenities, open space improvements, tree plantings, and landscaping. |
$1,000,000 |
|
Sutton |
American Legion Park Renovation |
The project will create an updated playground for toddlers to teens with ADA and shaded elements, a picnic grove of new and existing trees with shaded seating, new/more basketball court fencing, removable softball outfield fencing and foul poles for greater safety, and the installation of a pervious pavement parking area and signage. |
$218,932 |
|
Woburn |
Green Street Playground |
The project will replace two older pools and filtration building with a new splash pad and equipment vault. |
$480,968 |
|
Worcester |
Great Brook Valley (Roberto Clemente) Improvement Project |
The project will include softball field upgrades with new sports lighting, accessible walkways, facility security (wood guardrail and fence), kiosks, stormwater management upgrades, tree planting, parking upgrades with lighting, and other site improvements. |
$1,000,000 |
###