LYNN — The City Council has approved a measure allowing Mayor Jared Nicholson to move forward with a key step in the continued development of McManus Park, advancing plans to bring full athletic lighting and upgraded infrastructure to the site.
Under the order, Nicholson is authorized to sign an amendment to an existing easement agreement that will allow electrical improvements at a nearby Commercial Street property. The amendment supports the installation of underground conduit and a transformer, critical components needed to power new sports lighting and scoreboards currently under construction at the park.
The agreement remains subject to final review and approval by the city’s Law Department, and the mayor is also authorized to execute any additional documents necessary to complete the process.
The latest action builds on a major investment completed just last year. In August 2025, city officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the park’s renovation, an $8 million project that marked the largest single use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in Lynn’s history.
According to Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, the work at McManus Park has been carried out in two distinct phases funded at different times. The initial renovation, which was supported through ARPA and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, did not include field lighting due to budget constraints.
Plans for a smaller electrical setup tied to a scoreboard were ultimately scrapped when the city later approved a bond to fund a comprehensive lighting system, which required a significantly larger electrical service and a redesigned layout.
“Under Massachusetts procurement laws, the lighting work had to be bid separately after the field contractor completed its scope,” Hogan explained.
Although the lighting contractor was originally scheduled to begin work on Feb. 1, heavy snowfall this winter delayed access to the site, pushing mobilization into March. Installation is now tentatively expected to be completed by May 2026.
Once finished, the improvements will mark the final stage of the park’s redevelopment, with only minor punch-list items remaining. The addition of a full lighting system is expected to significantly extend playable hours and improve access for youth sports and community use.
Hogan emphasized the broader impact of the project, calling it “a long-overdue project that the residents of Ward 6 and the City of Lynn will be able to enjoy for many years to come.”
He also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the work, adding that “this project is not possible without the collaboration between the Lynn City Council, Mayor Nicholson, the Mayor’s office and many departments in the City of Lynn. This is a true TEAM effort.”
