Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Patrick Sullivan, and Park Commission Chairman Brian Santaniello are happy to announce a $650,000 Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the redevelopment of Loon Pond.
This grant is part of Mayor Sarno’s commitment, along with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to improve Springfield’s open space and generate improvements in areas across the city. The City, in conjunction with the Indian Orchard neighborhood, developed a master plan for Loon Pond. Improvements will include grading the former beach area, creating a grass grove, planting trees, constructing a vehicular entrance and parking area, developing ADA walking paths, and installing benches and other site amenities. The new park will provide a safe entrance from Pasco Road — encouraging pleasant recreational use of this hidden gem for the citizens of Springfield.
Mayor Sarno stated, “The City is grateful to Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Theoharides for their continued investment and support in the City of Springfield. This PARC grant will ensure the preservation of Springfield’s parks and open space. We are excited for the opportunities presented by this grant which will improve access and create much needed amenities for our residents. In addition, this will help address the issues of illegal dumping at Loon Pond. I am delighted that the master plan, developed in conjunction with the Indian Orchard Neighborhood Council, will enhance all aspects of this park and allow families to picnic or kayak in this scenic twenty-five acre glacial kettle hole pond.”
Executive Director Patrick Sullivan added, “On behalf of the Springfield Park Commission we want to thank the residents of Indian Orchard for playing a vital role in the planning process for this grant. The success of any project depends on neighborhood support and input. The scheduled improvements will provide critical infrastructure to create a quality recreational experience for this neighborhood. This is a unique resource to have in the middle of an urban setting and I applaud Mayor Sarno for making this project a priority and matching the grant with $250,000 in City funds. This type of commitment allows the Park Department to preserve our natural resources. We look forward to continued improvements scheduled to take place over the next year and meetings will be held with the neighborhood in February as we develop final plans for bidding the project.”
Chairman Brian Santaniello said, “This is a unique opportunity to preserve this asset for the betterment of the citizens of Springfield. The proposed improvements will allow families to come and enjoy the impressive vista, have a picnic, take a canoe or a kayak out on the pond, and realize the importance of our environment through interpretive signage on the trail along the water’s edge. I applaud Mayor Sarno and Patrick Sullivan for their efforts in the preparation and administration of this grant.”
Ward 8 City Councilor and State Representative Elect Orlando Ramos stated, “Loon Pond is an important landmark to The Orchard. It had been designated as one of the ‘Great Ponds of the Commonwealth’ by the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation Resources in the 1980s, and again following a 1996 Waterways Program Study. For many years it was frequently used for fishing and swimming by people from all over; and I’m excited that we are in the process of bringing it back to what it once was.”
Indian Orchard Citizens Council President Zaida Govan stated, “This is going to please so many Indian Orchard residents. The IOCC has been working hard for many years to bring attention to these waterways. We are so grateful to the Mayor and his administration for keeping Indian Orchard on their minds. I know the residents of Indian Orchard have been unable to use the many waterways there, and with this grant we will all be able to swim, fish and maybe even ice skate again.”