In the News

City of Springfield Announces Construction Bid to Replace Forest Park’s Main Greeting Road Culvert

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Patrick J. Sullivan announced the construction bid to replace the culvert at the Main Greeting Road in Forest Park is available to interested companies this week.  The project is slated to commence July 2018.

The project includes replacing the culvert, restoring the earthen structure, landscape enhancements, removal of trees damaged by the high water levels and the installation of overlooks to view Swan Pond and the Meadowbrook Ravine.  The project will entail a safety zone for construction equipment on the North Side of Cyr Arena and the bid specifications indicate no hauling on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This will ensure that the tranquil setting for the Farmers Market in the Cyr Arena parking lot will be maintained throughout construction. The Sumner Avenue park entrance will remain open for the clay and hard top tennis courts. The park entrances at Trafton Road and Rte 5 will be staffed and open to gain access to all park amenities, including the pool, splash pads, picnic area, Barney Carriage House, the Forest Park Zoo and lower end of the park.

Mayor Sarno Stated, “I appreciate the residents’ understanding during this construction phase of the road closure. I am grateful of Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and Secretary Beaton’s cooperation in releasing the funds to repair and rebuild the earthen structure and culvert. We look forward to the slated improvements and a key factor in the final design is the new road will be greatly enhanced and the proposed design concepts are in keeping with the Olmsted design of Forest Park.”

Patrick Sullivan added, “The Park Commission is appreciative for Mayor Sarno’s and Governor Charlie Baker’s quick responses in providing the resources to restore Main Greeting Road and Swan Pond and preventing a catastrophic failure of the Main Greeting earthen structure. The new road will be greatly improved and our design team has done an outstanding job of ensuring that the final construction design has strong connections to Olmsted’s original design of the park. The proposed view sheds will allow visitors to reflect on the Swan Pond and Meadowbrook Ravine and will include interpreted signage outlining the history of this area of Forest Park.”

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October 12, 2017
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