Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, State Representative Bud L. Williams, and Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Tom Ashe and team, and Upper Hill Neighborhood Council representative Pernise Morris joined today to unveil renovations to Adams Park, which include increased accessibility to the park and inclusive recreational amenities. The Community Development team was also a partner on the Adams Park proejct.
From installation of 6’ft-wide accessible perimeter walking path, to construction of a new parking lot at the Berlin Street entrance, to pavilion improvements, accessible playground surfacing, equipment and picnic tables, to a Basketball court renovation and tree plantings, spray scape, Adams Park now has more amenities for everyone to enjoy. Adams Park is also safer and more accessible to traverse to, with a prior $712,344.48 investment in Upper Hill Safety Pedestrian Improvements along the Wilbraham Road corridor from Mason Square to Roosevelt Avenue.
Repairs have been made to broken/hazardous sidewalks, there has been additional tree planting/trimming, improved pedestrian signage and traffic calming measures. Another key improvement to improve pedestrian access is the new crosswalk installed at Norfolk Street near the entrance to Adams Park. The installation of new sidewalks, shade trees and improved signage and handicap accessibility is important for our residents and local businesses.
This project is part of $4 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that Mayor Sarno committed toward improvements at 11 neighborhood parks throughout the city. This investment into our city neighborhood parks is part of Mayor Sarno’s all-encompassing and comprehensive process to utilize various funding sources, including ARPA and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), to enhance our neighborhoods. This was the common feedback from our neighborhood councils and residents when Mayor Sarno and city officials held their citywide listening tour session, meeting with over 40 neighborhood councils and other organizations on how best to enhance our neighborhoods and seek all available funding for these projects.
Mayor Sarno states, “I am proud of my administration’s efforts to support our neighborhood councils and enhance our infrastructure and the quality of life for our residents. It is so important in Urban Centers to have green space. Thank you to Parks Director Tom Ashe and his dedicated team for keeping up with our parks throughout the city. These neighborhood enhancements follow up on my administration’s numerous listening tour sessions and neighborhood walks on how best to use our local allocation of ARPA funds to support these quality-of-life neighborhood infrastructure projects.”
The Adams Park project included upgrading the playscape, making repairs to the walkways and the gazebo, adding closer parking options, and improved handicapped accessibility to the park like accessible picnic tables and walking path.
The Upper Hill Pedestrian Improvement project have also been complimented by installation of an additional crosswalk at Waltham and Wilbraham Road for a total cost of $229,190, which is being funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This crosswalk will allow for safe crossing over Wilbraham Road and will complement the development of 100 affordable workforce housing units at the former Firestone/Knox Building at the corner of Wilbraham Road and Waltham Avenue which were completed by First Resource Development.
State Representative Bud L. Williams states, “I thank Mayor Sarno, Director Ashe, and the City for their unwavering commitment to parks and infrastructure in the city of Springfield. These parks are very important to the neighborhood community and are highly utilized, now this park can be enjoyed more easily be even more people.”
Mayor Sarno’s Administration has proudly invested over $120 million in City Parks throughout Springfield.
Mayor Sarno states, “I am proud of my administration’s efforts in not only maintaining but also enhancing our beautiful neighborhood parks that provide much enjoyment and recreation for our residents and their families. Growing up, my Rivera was Forest Park and Emerson Wight Parks. Thanks to our dedicated team, priorly led by Pat Sullivan, and now with Tom Ashe, these projects selected will enhance the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Recent grant announcements coupled with these projects has resulted in over $120 million dollars in park renovations since I took office, and there is more to be done. I look forward to continuing to work with our neighborhood councils to further define additional park projects. These park amenities show the importance of these projects as they serve the residents throughout the different seasons and brings an important outlet for families to get quality recreation opportunity for their families.”
PBRM Director Ashe stated, “We take our duty to upkeep our beautiful Springfield Parks seriously. There has been tremendous investment in parks across the city and my commitment to Mayor Sarno is that we will never go backward when it comes to our renowned Parks system. The beauty and clean environments that you see is all because of the dedicated PBRM team who are out there every day looking after the numerous Parks and parkland in Springfield. We are proud and honored to do it and truly appreciate the collaboration and support from residents, and especially our neighborhood councils. Our Springfield Parks have something to offer all year round, but this time of year in Spring is really something special. We’ll see you at the park!”
