Lynn park, bandstand targeted for overhaul

LYNN – A city park and a historic bandstand will receive makeovers courtesy of the state and nearly $1.2 million in grants.During a recent speech to members of the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy announced that Robert McManus Field, also known as Tech Field, would get an overhaul this summer, funded in part with a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant.”They’re going to regrade and reposition the fields and add a volleyball court,” Kennedy said. “There will be new fencing, new play equipment and with the success of the Flax Pond splash pad, we’ll add another splash pad here.”The splash pad will be not only be a fun summer activity for kids but it will double as a cooling station on hot summer days, Kennedy added.The entire project will take $800,000 to complete but the remaining $400,000 will come from the $4 million bond City Council approved earlier this year.”This is the second attempt at the Tech grant,” said Community Development Director James Marsh. “We started applying for the PARC grants four years ago.”The PARC grants have allowed the city to redo Keaney Park, High Rock Park and Flax Pond Park, and not Tech, he explained. Marsh said his office has been taking a look at all the parks and trying to prioritize. Next year he will seek a PARC grant to finish overhauling the Commons.Before that happens, however, Kennedy said a $790,000 Gateway Cities Grant has cleared the way for renovation of the Common’s historic Frederick Douglas Bandstand.”As the ‘Gateway’ grant would suggest, Lynn Common is truly the gateway to the city and will once again showcase the southern entrance to the city,” she said.Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan called the Gateway City Parks Program “another example of the Patrick Administration’s commitment to strengthening urban communities throughout the Commonwealth.”I am pleased my office has awarded the city of Lynn a grant through this program that will improve Lynn Common and enhance the quality of life for local residents,” he added.Once the bandstand is renovated, Marsh said he will focus on the rest of the Commons, which includes adding antique lighting, rehabbing the walkways and the historic fence. Kennedy said Mass in Motion, in conjunction with the city’s Health Department will also install walking markers much like the ones along Lynn Shore Drive, as a way to promote the Commons and good health in general.Both projects are currently in the design phase, said Marsh but he expects the work to begin later this summer.”The work will be done pretty much in tandem,” he said. “One thing we’re trying to figure out is the lights at Tech. If we can’t afford to do them now can we at least lay the conduit to do them later.”The focus is undoubtedly on Tech and The Commons due to the large scale nature of the projects but Kennedy said the bond will allow for work to be done at other parks.”Slated for rehabilitation and or new park equipment are Barry Park, Breed Park, Clark Park, Cook Street Playground, Frey Playground, Gallagher Playground, Magnolia Playground, Sagamore Playground and Sheridan Street Playground,” she said. “Lynn Woods at Pennybrook Road will be getting new bathrooms and Fraser Field will be getting a new cantilever roof and new synthetic turf making it even more of an attraction than it already is.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].