Lynn Museum courtyard to get revamp

LYNN – The courtyard at the Lynn Museum will get a face-lift this fall that will include new brickwork, benches and paint.”We are thrilled,” said museum Executive Director Kate Luchini.The work, which totals about $42,300, will be funded in part through a Department of Conservation and Recreation grant. DCR teamed up with park advocacy groups and local communities to invest more than $1 million in 21 state parks and other facilities across the commonwealth.The museum is a DCR-owned property, Luchini pointed out. Museum officials are responsible for the essential maintenance and upkeep of the property, but the needed repairs in the courtyard exceed the scope of regular maintenance, Luchini said.”Frost heaves have taken a toll on the brickwork, some of the benches are rotted and broken, the plantings are way overgrown, and painting the fence, there is a lot of metal fencing that needs painting,” she explained.Luchini said the museum is lucky that the grant was available, and that it’s a one-to-one match, which means DCR contributes $21,145 and the museum contributes the same.”So often it’s a two-to-one match or more,” she said.Because the museum is responsible for upkeep of the property, Luchini said there is a building reserve fund that will cover the museum’s share of the cost.”But it’s not that large,” she said, referring to the reserve fund. “This would not be possible without the grant.”DCR Commissioner Jack Murray said the DCR is fortunate to have a broad base of active, dedicated partners across the state who are committed to the idea of shared stewardship.”With these investments, DCR continues its commitment to protect, promote and enhance our natural, cultural and recreational resources,” he said.Luchini said she is hoping that as much work as possible can get done before the snow flies. She would like to see the brickwork redone before it has to go through another winter, and the benches will be an easy fix.”We’re ready to move,” she said.Revere will also benefit from the program. DCR will contribute $50,000 toward the design of a new playground for Revere Beach Reservation and another $5,000 to buy trash barrels, also for the reservation. For its part, the city will contribute $27,500.