May 2023 Newsletter
Quequechan River Rail Trail, Fall River, MA
Image © Gregg Shupe
Making Connections in the Gateway Cities
Access to public green space, especially in urban communities, is an indispensable resource. Both for passive and active recreation, parks, trails, and playgrounds provide communities with often long-desired connections to a wealth of outdoor networks that can otherwise be inaccessible in densely populated urban areas. The Gateway City Parks Program, through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, was established to advance park equity and improve open space quality in 26 historically underserved communities in Massachusetts. Since 2009, BRR has been developing plans to upgrade and preserve new and existing parks, trails, playgrounds, and more in each of the 26 "Gateway Cities" of the Commonwealth, such as Fall River, Quincy, Methuen, Leominster, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Taunton, Lynn, and more. Through our work with the Gateway City Parks Program and EOEEA, we have completed numerous projects that provide unique, memorable experiences and opportunities for community engagement and open space enjoyment for people of all ages and abilities.
Quequechan River Rail Trail
Fall River, MA
The 2-mile former rail line along the Quequechan River is an ideal location for riverside recreation in Fall River, MA. In 2008, the city began the multi-phase project, converting a portion of the former rail corridor into a multi-use trail for bikes and pedestrians. The trail passes over six wooden boardwalk bridges and two steel bridges, all in locations where former wooden trestle structures once held rail infrastructure. Signage is placed to help educate interested visitors on the industrial and ecological history of the river. Construction of phases 2 and 3 was completed in 2016. Phase 4, which awaits funding for construction, will connect to the newly renovated Father Travassos Park.
Images © Gregg Shupe
The Northern Strand
Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus, Lynn, MA
Former rail beds provide unique opportunities for multi-use paths such as the Northern Strand. The 11-mile-long trail, originating at the Mystic River in Everett and passing through Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus, and Lynn, connects tens of thousands of residents to ecological treasures such as the Rumney Marsh, a growing network of Mystic River trails, the shoreline in Nahant, downtown schools, parks, residential areas, and their neighboring communities. In addition to delivering recreational and public health benefits with amenities such as community gardens, a bocce court, public art, a playground, seating areas, and marsh overlooks, the Northern Strand provides an alternative commuting route between communities and to Boston, and access to hundreds of businesses in the city centers through which it passes. It is also an integral link in the greater network of the East Coast Greenway. Construction of the former rail ROW portion of the trail was completed in 2022. The On-Street Extension through downtown Lynn to the shore in Nahant is expected to be out to bid for constriction in early fall 2023.
Images © Gregg Shupe
Lynn Heritage State Park
Lynn, MA
Based on resiliency goals and the community’s desire for better waterfront access, expressed during the Lynn Waterfront Open Space Master Plan process, Brown, Richardson + Rowe has designed a renovation for DCR’s Lynn Heritage State Park. Following several community meetings and site walks, BRR prepared design plans for this major park renovation. A water spray pad, flexible public plaza with a performance area, a waterside overlook, improved vehicular access, sixty new trees, a waterfront promenade and a large lawn for passive recreation are proposed. After repairing the seawall and addressing ground settlement, a newly repaired boardwalk will improve access and provide ample seating as well as picnicking at the southern end of the park. The project is scheduled to be put out to bid for construction in the fall of 2023.
Renderings © BRR
Jean Kennedy Playground
Quincy, MA
In July of 2019, BRR completed the renovation of Jean Kennedy Playground and Taffrail Playground for the Quincy Housing Authority. Located in the city’s coastal Germantown neighborhood, Jean Kennedy includes a half basketball court, gathering areas for families, accessible walkways, and a brand-new playground. Play equipment for both toddlers and older children is set on bright, geometrically patterned poured in place safety surfacing. Whimsical star shaped concrete benches on top of play turf not only provide seating for adults, but also serve as another climbing and play element for children. A variety of salt tolerant and native plants, selected to thrive near saltwater, provide shade and visual stimulation for all visitors. Abstractly scored concrete ties in with the play surfacing patterns. Bright flame orange picnic tables add a pop of color to the gathering spaces. Taffrail play area improvements include a new splash pad and full-sized basketball court. The renovated playground provides much-needed, high quality outdoor recreational area for the residents of Germantown.
