FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 27, 2024
Contact: Steve Smirti, Director of Communications (ssmirti@medford-ma.gov), 781-885-4296
City to Unveil $1.4 Million Renovation Project at Gillis Park with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 18
Upgrades to park include new accessible entrance, reconstruction of baseball field, new pedestrian loop pathway and more
Medford Youth Baseball Game to follow Ribbon Cutting
Aerial view of the reconstructed baseball field at Gillis Park
(MEDFORD) — The City is officially unveiling the newly completed Gillis Park $1.4 million renovation project at a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 18 at 4 p.m., announced Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. The renovation addressed two key issues: drainage and accessibility from the street and irrigation and grade corrections to make the park accessible from the sidewalk.
Upgrades included:
· Creating an accessible entrance to the park from the street/sidewalk
· Full reconstruction of the baseball field (including drainage upgrades)
· Construction of an accessible loop pathway around the field
· A new picnic area (accessible from the new path)
· A new outdoor adult fitness area (accessible from the new path)
· New and accessible bleachers and seating
· Replacement of the existing concession stand with a new concession stand
· Brought the existing crosswalk along Fulton Street into ADA compliance
“Improving accessibility and creating more meaningful and inclusive experiences for our community has long been our priority,” said Mayor Lungo-Koehn. “I am thrilled that we’ve been able to make such a significant investment at Gillis Park and bring new activities and spaces for children, families and neighbors to enjoy for the summer. Thank you to our Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability for helping to secure the grant funding that makes this possible.”
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, there will be a one inning Elected Officials and Medford City Staff vs. Kids game, and then a Medford Youth Baseball game.
The Gillis Park accessibility renovation project broke ground in summer 2023 and was funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Program, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding.
Other current park projects that are nearing completion include Carr Park Phase I and McGlynn Playground. The Carr Park renovation has been split into two phases, with Phase I currently underway and slated for completion this summer. This phase includes an accessible path that circles the entire park field, reconstruction of two baseball diamonds, a woodland area cleanup and invasive plant removal, fully dedicated pickleball courts, and more. The McGlynn Playground is set to be the City’s first universally accessible playground and has been designed collaboratively with experts, students, educators, parents, caregivers, and community members. The playground is expected to be completed by the beginning of the next school year and features a wheelchair swing, multi-use field, a stage area, a fully accessible and curriculum-aligned outdoor classroom, and more.
The City, through CPA, CDBG, ARPA, and other grants, has invested in upgrades and renovations to many of our open space and recreation facilities. You can see a complete list of all park projects here.
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Steve Smirti
Director of Communications | Office of Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn
Medford City Hall
85 George P Hassett Dr, Medford, MA 02155
781-393-2529 (office)
781-885-4296 (mobile)
Please note: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers most electronic communications to and from public employees to be public records and disclosable under the Massachusetts Public Records Law and its regulations. *Please consider the environment before printing this email.*
Please note: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers most electronic communications to and from public employees to be public records and disclosable under the Massachusetts Public Records Law and its regulations. *Please consider the environment before printing this email.*
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