LYNN — The city of Lynn and town of Saugus have been awarded state funding to replace a damaged gazebo at Marshview Park near the town border.
The new structure, which will be installed by early next fall, will replace a gazebo that had been damaged by a fire in the West Lynn park, located along the Saugus River, according to James Marsh, the city’s community development director.
“We think it dovetails nicely with what’s happening this summer with the bike path,” said Marsh. “It’s really the beginning of the Lynn spur of the bike path and it affords people (the opportunity) to utilize the (park) as a place to sit, rest, eat and check out the view.”
The Boston Street park upgrade will align with construction slated to begin this summer, which will extend a regional bike path from Saugus into Lynn.
The funds, announced by the Baker-Polito administration, were awarded through the Partnerships Matching Funds Program, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
The state grant will cover part of the gazebo’s $33,334 cost, while the city of Lynn is providing matching Community Development Block Grant funds for the rest.
The Northern Strand Community Bike Trail, which already winds through Everett, Malden, Revere, and Saugus, currently ends across the street from the park. A vision of Bike to the Sea since 1993, the mostly paved path would begin in that Boston Street area in Lynn and connect to the beaches in Revere, Lynn and Nahant.
The state has kicked in $14 million for construction, which is mostly going toward the Lynn portion of the project, but is also covering work that remains in Saugus and Revere.
Marsh said Mayor Thomas M. McGee was supportive of securing funds for a new gazebo, as Marshview Park serves as an entrance for the Lynn’s portion of the path. The mayor felt it would allow people a chance to take a break from their exercise and take in the views of the marsh.
The 12-foot wide gazebo will house benches that will be attached to steel railing. Ward 7 Councilor Jay Walsh, an advocate for the project, anticipates the new gazebo will serve as a centerpiece in the park.
Walsh credited Mary Lester, of the Saugus River Watershed Council, for notifying him about the need for a new gazebo.
“I think something like this on the trail itself gives more of a destination to go to,” said Walsh. “As the path comes together, we want places where people are able to recreate.”
