LYNN — A number of parks and playgrounds in the city are in the process of being renovated and repurposed by the Parks and Recreation Department.
The parks that are currently under construction, or will be shortly, are Lynn Woods, Keaney Park on Memorial Park Avenue, Kiley Park (playground) on Sanderson Avenue, Gallagher Park on Ontario Street, McManus Park, and Bowser Complex. The department plans to improve and replace the facilities on each of these parks.
The Lizzie Thomas Leisure Park ribbon-cutting ceremony and barbeque on O’Callaghan Way took place on Wednesday. The park reopened to the public after undergoing a thorough renovation. While it once only had a grill area and some picnic tables, it now has more to offer to the community, including two ping-pong tables and three chess and checkers boards.
“The only thing still standing that’s original is the Japanese maple tree,” Anita Veilleux, of the King’s Lynne Residents Council, said.
Additionally, the Cook Street Playground ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday.
City officials will open the park, which will now have futsal and basketball courts for members of the community to use.
According to the Parks and Recreations Department, more park renovations will be inaugurated in the near future, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The city has allocated $16 million toward ARPA-funded park improvements. ARPA dollars must be obligated by the end of 2024, which means the city must work quickly to use these funds.
