Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Start of $15.6 Million Improvement Project at Lynn Veterans Memorial Park

Lynn — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated the start of a $15.6 million project to improve Lynn Veterans Memorial Park. The project will rebuild the park’s boardwalk, renovate its pavilion and add new recreational amenities and connections to the Lynn Harborwalk.

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle joined Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Undersecretary of Environmental Justice and Equity Maria Belén Power and local elected officials on Wednesday to mark the start of the 18-month project. 

“Lynn Veterans Memorial Park is a special place that honors our veterans and connects people to the city’s waterfront,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This $15.6 million investment will make the park more welcoming and accessible, with new spaces for families to gather, play and enjoy Lynn Harbor.” 

“Public spaces bring people together and strengthen communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This project will preserve what residents love about Lynn Veterans Memorial Park while adding new recreational opportunities and better connections to the waterfront for generations to come.” 

“We’re making investments in special places like Lynn Veterans Memorial Park that honor our servicemembers,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This project will invest more than $15 million into this urban oasis, creating a space that people of all ages can use to recreate, connect, or experience the calm of Lynn Harbor and reflect on the service of our veterans.”  

"For four decades, Lynn Veterans Memorial Park has served as a space for visitors to enjoy the outdoors, connect with their history and access Lynn Harbor,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “Through this effort, we will preserve and strengthen the many features people already love about this space and add new opportunities for passive and active recreation that we are sure the community will enjoy.” 

Situated between Lynn Harbor and the Lynnway, Lynn Veterans Memorial Park — formerly known as Lynn Heritage State Park — has been a fixture of the Lynn community since it opened in 1986. 

The $15,644,924 project will improve the 4.5-acre urban park through: 

• A full reconstruction of the boardwalk; 
• Renovations to the park pavilion; 
• A redesigned parking lot; 
• A new splash pad; 
• A waterfront promenade with connections to the Lynn Harborwalk; 
• New pedestrian walkways and seating; and 
• Improved landscaping. 

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027. 

Lynn Veterans Memorial Park is one of DCR’s nine Heritage State Parks, which were created to highlight and celebrate the history of their respective communities. The property was renamed Lynn Veterans Memorial Park last year in honor of the city’s veterans. 

“Investment in resources like Veterans Memorial Park is another way Massachusetts can show respect and gratitude for those who have served and their loved ones,” said Veterans Secretary Eric Goralnick. “Once the renovation is complete, any time residents visit and cross the state’s Gold Star Family Memorial Bridge, they will have an even more beautiful space to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made to secure and preserve our freedom.” 

“We are excited for the renovations coming to the Lynn Veterans Memorial Park, which will transform this space into a vibrant community hub for recreation that helps link our downtown and waterfront and creates a beautiful space to honor veterans," said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. "Lynn is committed to enhancing our waterfront, and through strong collaboration, we are able to fulfill our goal of making this area more accessible to everyone.” 

The park is also home to the Massachusetts Gold Star Family Memorial Bridge, a pedestrian footbridge spanning Route 1A that was designated in 2020 by the Massachusetts Legislature as the state’s official bridge honoring Gold Star Families. There have been 33,000 Gold Star Families in Massachusetts since World War II, with approximately 500 from Lynn. 

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