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Rebuilding the City Park and
Recreation System in Lawrence
11/9/06
When
I look back over some of the accomplishments of my
administration during the past five years, one area that
really stands out is the improvements to the city park
system. This is also one area that took a lot of
cooperation from many different groups and organizations
which have chosen to work together for common goals. I
think one thing everyone could agree on is that our park
system had become run down and insufficient for our
recreational needs.
The city of Lawrence has some great natural resources
with three rivers running through it, but it was for the
very reason of harnessing the rivers for power and waste
disposal that we face the challenges of accessibility and
pollution. Im proud to say that during the Sullivan
administration we are well on our way to removing or
overcoming many of these obstacles. Our problems were not
unique and the urban River Visions Program provided many
opportunities and potential solutions. Tougher
environmental and anti-pollution laws have improved our
waterways, and Brownsfields Legislation has helped
provide funding for cleanups of previously unusable
greenspace.
To date we have expended $15 million over the last five
years for park improvements. We have done that with
forging public/private partnerships as well as leveraging
state and federal funding to compliment local
reinvestment. A twenty-two park improvement program was
phased in with all areas of the city getting equal levels
of attention. This includes new attractive signage,
benches, trash receptacles, and fencing through our whole
park system. Other parks were singled out and scheduled
for major improvements such as Storrow Park, Pemberton
Park, North Common Ballfield, Sullivan Park and the
upcoming Mt. Vernon Ballfield complex.
As a built-out city, we have encountered problems when it
comes to sighting our new schools. Even though they have
come at the expense of some parkland, it has resulted in
many park improvements as well. The four ballfields at
the South Lawrence East School are perfect examples of
that and I would certainly be remiss if I didnt
brag a little about our newly renovated and vastly
improved Veterans Memorial Stadium. The crowning jewel of
our recreational system will quickly garner state-wide
attention as a premier venue for sporting events,
concerts, and city celebrations. Beside Sullivan Park,
there will also be two beautiful new ballfields behind
the new Lawrence High School and visible from the
highway. These will be complete with concession stands,
press box, lighting, bleachers and irrigation.
The plan to create a greenway along the Spicket and
Shawsheen Rivers is well underway with the addition of
Brook Street Park, Den Rock Park and the newly designed
FEMA Park that will be constructed this year.
The good news is we have plans to continue the effort
well into my second term. Just this week, we received
great news of a new grant award from the state to create
a first-of-its-kind skateboarding park next to the
Leonard school. This idea was initiated by students who
worked hard to create a safe place for skateboarders to
enjoy their sport in the city of Lawrence.
So, whether its active or passive recreation, we
have many more opportunities for our children to enjoy
their leisure time in our great city. I truly feel that
recreation in a city that is as densely populated and
demographically young as Lawrence is key to a good
quality of life for all our citizens. Unlike some of our
surrounding communities, we have extremely small lot
sizes and small yards, so our park system has to be even
that much letter. I know from talking to our residents,
as well as many visitors, that these improvements are
being extremely well received. I want to thank groups
like Groundwork Lawrence, members of the community who
actually do the work, all the neighborhood associations
and the many individuals who have worked with the city
and my administration in championing these great
improvements. These wonderful new green spaces within our
borders have enhanced everyones quality of life.
This is a legacy of leisure that I know will continue to
be built upon and something we can all be proud of as
they are enjoyed by many generations of future
Lawrencians.
Michael Sullivan is the mayor of Lawrence
and is his second four-year term. you can email him at Sull33@aol.com or call
his office at 978-794-5858.
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The November, 2006
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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