ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
High Rock Tower was one of the many big projects John Moberger has worked on during his 38-year career in Lynn.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — During his 38-year career, John Moberger has left his mark on Lynn’s parks.
The city’s community facilities manager will retire next Friday after working for the city for almost four decades.
“There are close to 30 parks in the city and I would say he has put his stamp on every one,” said Jamie Marsh, director of community development. “High Rock, I would say, is one of his crowning achievements. He got it to where it is today.”
Moberger said the restoration of High Rock Tower Park is one of his most memorable projects. He began working on a master plan in the early 1980s. By 1998, contractors had restored the tower observatory. More recently, they installed stairs at the bottom of the hill leading up to the tower, which underwent beautification upgrades. The project also reconfigured the intersection of Essex and Liberty streets.
But the park renovation is not yet complete, he said. A stone cottage adjacent to the tower is the last portion to be tackled. Moberger said it’s in need of masonry work, and taking on the interior is expected to be a challenge.
While it’s still in the planning process, he would like to see it used as a meeting space with a third floor designated as an apartment for a property caretaker.
Moberger hopes to see the project through to the end. Once retired, he plans to work at least two days per week completing High Rock and several other projects that are in the works.
“I enjoy the projects we have here,” he said. “I’ve been lucky to be involved in a lot of great projects. Changing the environment and trying to make things better where people live is important. Parks and playgrounds are important for youth. They give kids something to do other than negative things.”
He’s proud to have orchestrated the Central Square revitalization in 1999. Brick walkways and decorative street lights were installed and several trees were planted, he said.
Entrances to Lynn Woods were made more secure, which Moberger said helped change the use of the green space from a place for vandals to a popular recreational spot.
Flax Pond was improved with the installation of a fountain and one of three splash pads for children.
He was involved in restoring the water fountain at the Lynn Common in the 1980s. The cast iron fountain was first constructed in the 1890s by General Electric Co., he said. Jets and lights were added for special events, Moberger said. A computer used to operate the lights and water jets was ruined in a flood and needs to be replaced, he added.
Moberger hopes to see the city implement the master plan for the waterfront.
“I’d like to make it more accessible to people in the city and extend the boardwalk all the way around,” he said.
Marsh said when he learned Moberger would stay on the job for a few days, he felt like doing a backflip.
“John is truly my go-to guy,” Marsh said. “I always take his advice without hesitation.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
