Barry Park Splash Pad

Location: Lynn, MA
Client: The City of Lynn
Photography: Gregg Shupe

In the late nineteenth century, Little River ran through what is now Barry Park and continued out to the Saugus River. Various parcels were acquired and pieced together to form Little River Playground. In 1907, the Lynn Park Commission contacted the Olmsted Brothers firm about Little River Playground. The City retains the Olmsted Brothers plans in their archive. Little River Park is now called Barry Park and is in a Minority Environmental Justice Population area. As part of a multi-year phased investment substantially funded by a PARC Grant, the City of Lynn has been making improvements to Barry Park facilities since 2021. BRR also provided the City with graphic and cost estimate support for the PARC Grant application for Phases 1 & 2, and completed the application for the City for Phase 3, which BRR has started design work for.

BRR’s scope of work for Phase 1 focused on replacing an existing, underutilized tennis court with a new splash pad, renovating the existing basketball court, and improving and providing new accessible pedestrian connections. The design team conducted a site investigation and analysis of the site, and presented alternative schematic designs that were presented during a virtual community meeting. Phase 1 was completed in 2022 and has provided the local neighborhood with a renewed recreational area. The splash pad, brightly colored and populated with many interactive elements, provides locals with an ideal location to retreat to during the hot summer months. The resurfaced multipurpose court has been painted with colorful volleyball, basketball, and soccer patterns. The site has also been improved with new fencing, furnishings, and plantings.

As the phased redevelopment of the site continues, community members will have more amenities to look forward to, including a new highly accessible and interactive playground for both children and adults of all abilities. BRR also created a spur connection from Barry Park to the Northern Strand, a 10.5-mile multi-use trail from Everett to Lynn. The park’s proximity to the Northern Strand increases user accessibility, opening the door for neighborhood residents and users of all kinds to walk or bike to this park from other parts of Lynn and beyond.