LYNN — The city celebrated the completion of a $1.5 million renovation project at Barry Park on Wednesday.
The project, which took four years to complete, included the addition of splash pads and a multi-use court, the demolition of the park’s concrete bleachers, and the rebuilding of a playground, according to Community Development Director James Marsh.
Marsh said that before the project started, it had been in discussion for approximately 15 years.
The project was completed with three $400,000 grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The mayor’s office, through the Office of Community Development, authorized three grants of $180,000 to match each $400,000 grant, Marsh said.
“I can’t tell you how many times I got a call and someone said, ‘The bleachers are coming down,’ and I said, ‘Is this real?’ and they said ‘no’ and we stayed with it,” City Council President and Ward 7 Councilor Jay Walsh said.
Walsh reflected on his almost 10 years as a councilor, saying he remembers when his daughter was only 4 years old and his family would bring her to parks in Saugus instead of in his ward. This was when he first brought the proposal to Marsh.
His daughter is now 14 years old, and he said he feels proud to be part of a team of people that improved the park for the next generation, he said.
“I ask the community… This is your park, if you see something let us know,” he said. “And we’re going to try to continue that effort.”
Mayor Jared Nicholson said the renovated park is a “signature piece of the city that we can all be proud of.
“At the heart of this project is the upgraded playground, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and grow in a safe and accessible environment,” he added.
He said his office is grateful to everyone who provided support for the “transformation” of Barry Park, particularly the Parks and Recreation Department and the Office of Community Development.
Marsh said the Office of Community Development was happy with how each phase of the renovation turned out.
“The best part of today’s ribbon-cutting was seeing all the kids running around using all the amenities we have to offer,” he said. “From the splash pads, to the multi-use court, the amazing playground and the open space we created by moving the bleachers, it has to be one of the most transformative park projects my office has worked on.”
