LYNN — Veterans Memorial Park is set for a significant transformation as state and local officials move forward with an 18-month rehabilitation project to overhaul the long-used waterfront space and improve access along Lynn’s shoreline.
According to a Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) spokesperson, the project will include a full reconstruction of the park’s boardwalk and a broad redesign of the area formerly known as Lynn Heritage Park.
Plans call for repairs to uneven ground, new pedestrian pathways, expanded lawn areas, coastal plantings, and upgraded public amenities, including a splash pad, renovated pavilion, and additional seating throughout the park.
The work will also improve how visitors enter and move through the site, including a redesigned parking lot entrance and other circulation upgrades intended to make the waterfront more accessible and user-friendly.
The project is being funded through the agency’s capital plan and has been in development for roughly five years. Officials say the goal is to convert an aging waterfront parcel in an environmental justice community into a destination public park.
Local leaders say the long-awaited project represents a major investment in Lynn’s public spaces and waterfront future.
City Council President Coco Alinsug said the renovations mark a turning point for the community.
“There is a real sense of excitement as we move toward the finish line for this project,” Alinsug said. “These renovations will offer a high-quality public space that our residents deserve and bring new energy to the waterfront.”
State Rep. Jenny Armini emphasized the project’s role in reconnecting residents with the harbor.
“This park will offer Lynn and the entire region an exciting opportunity to connect with the harbor in a new way,” Armini said. “That it is named for our veterans adds special meaning. They served so we could continue to enjoy the beauty and peace of our communities.”
State Rep. Sean Reid also highlighted the broader community impact of the project and expressed support for its completion.
“I look forward to seeing this space revitalized and serving as a welcoming place for the entire community to enjoy,” Reid said. “I am grateful for the partnership that has come together to rename and renovate the park in honor of our veterans.”
Community Development Director James Marsh said the city has worked closely with state officials throughout the planning process, particularly on the boardwalk component, which he described as a critical link in Lynn’s evolving waterfront network.
“We have been in touch with DCR for the past few years, working on this project with them,” Marsh said. “Although it is a state project, we have had the opportunity to work with them on it, and they have been very responsive to our desire to get this done as the boardwalk is an important leg of the overall path that currently extends from the EDIC ferry site to the former Porthole Pub property.”
Marsh added that the long-term vision is to extend the waterfront path even further, creating a continuous public route stretching from Nahant Rotary and Lynn Shore Drive to the General Edwards Bridge.
He also pointed to a separate $1.2 million MassWorks grant secured by his office to redesign the intersection of Washington Street, Broad Street, and Spring Street, aimed at improving pedestrian safety and strengthening connections between the waterfront and nearby destinations, including North Shore Community College and Heritage State Park.
“The idea behind the grant was to create a safer crossing at this intersection so people could get to North Shore Community College and the waterfront, specifically Heritage State Park and the boardwalk, safely,” Marsh said. “It’s important to note that the one pedestrian overpass across the Lynnway is a stone’s throw from Broad and Washington and feeds directly into Heritage State Park, making it an ideal spot for residents to visit.”
“At this very point, they can utilize the park’s amenities, the marinas, or the boardwalk going north toward Kings Beach and Lynn Shore Drive or south toward the MBTA ferry site,” Marsh added.
State Sen. Brendan Crighton said the project reflects a long-term, collaborative effort to revitalize Lynn’s waterfront.
“The renaming of Lynn Veterans Memorial Park is part of a long-awaited revitalization project. By partnering with the City, DCR, and all our community stakeholders, we are creating a vibrant, welcoming landmark that honors our veterans and serves our entire community,” Crighton said.
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson also commented on the project’s importance to the city’s waterfront redevelopment efforts.
“We very much look forward to the renovations coming to the Lynn Veterans Memorial Park, which will transform this space into a vibrant community hub for recreation,” Nicholson said. “Lynn is committed to enhancing our waterfront, and through strong collaboration, we can fulfill our goal of making this area more accessible to everyone.”
