Groundwork Lawrence and the City of Lawrence officially opened the Spicket River Greenway, 2.5 mile ‘emerald bracelet’ of parks, paths and open space. Lawrence residents’ dream of 30 years now a reality just in time for summer’s long days, Groundwork Lawrence (GWL), the City of Lawrence, and local officials and stakeholders cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Spicket River Greenway, welcoming Lawrence residents and visitors to a peaceful and beautiful retreat for biking, walking and connecting with friends and neighbors in parks and gardens from multiple neighborhoods alongside the meandering Spicket River.
An “emerald bracelet” of paved paths and open spaces connecting Lawrence’s densely populated neighborhoods to nature was first envisioned by Lawrence residents more than 30 years ago. The ceremony held Friday, July 26, 2013 marks the culmination of decades of collaboration among community groups, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and city, state and Federal government to realize the dual goals of riverfront restoration and neighborhood revitalization.
Heather McMann, Executive Director of Groundwork Lawrence, said, “The Spicket River Greenway epitomizes Groundwork Lawrence’s mission of changing places, changing lives. Over many years, we have seen the joy that each new park has brought to its neighborhood, and real benefits in terms of improvements to public health, economic development and the environment. It gives me and my predecessors at Groundwork great pride to complete the goal of connecting these vital places throughout Lawrence. We’re thrilled with the community’s reaction so far and look forward to seeing the Greenway and Lawrence thrives together.”
The $10 million restoration project was funded primarily through state and Federal grants to the City, with GWL raising supporting private funds. In July 2010, Lawrence was awarded a 2.65 million dollar state grant through the Massachusetts Gateway Cities Parks program, allowing the city and Groundwork Lawrence to complete the design with Hammer+Walsh Design and TEC and build the Greenway with Target Construction. Stretching from Polartec and Loft Five50 in the Malden Mills to Lawrence CommunityWorks’s Union Crossing mixed-use redevelopment in the south (the former Southwick site), the Greenway connects six new or redeveloped parks and one under construction in a 3 mile linear park.
Mayor William Lantigua said, “The Spicket River Greenway is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a passionate and hardworking community comes together around a shared dream. This new jewel in our city will be a source of pride and pleasure for all. We must honor the dedication of all those who worked to make this dream a reality by each doing our part to keep it clean, safe and beautiful for generations to come.”
In recognition of the great accomplishment of the Greenway, the U.S. Conference of Mayors cited Lawrence, MA as an honorable mention in the 2013 City Livability Award in the category of cities with less than 100,000 residents. Within a 10 minute walk of the Greenway, there are almost 30,000 residents (38% of the population), 7 schools with 2,590 students and 3 of the city’s largest employers: Polartec, Lawrence General Hospital, and the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. The Greenway offers limitless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, from walking, jogging and biking along the new paths to planting and tending vegetables in the community gardens to outdoor education and performance in new amphitheaters. Activities for children and families abound in the Greenway’s six anchor parks: Dr. Nina Scarito Park, Immigrant Place Park, Manchester Street Park, Misserville Skate Park, Hayden Schofield Park, and William Kennedy Community Park. A seventh park, Oxford Place Park, located at the southern-most point of the Greenway, the final piece of the Gateway Project, near the confluence with the Merrimack River, is expected to be completed within the year.
“When the people of Lawrence want to get something done, nothing stops them,” said U. S. Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA). “The city’s commitment to this project, which started in the homes of some community members over 30 years ago, has been remarkable. With each new park, the vision became more real, and the community more energized. It is a sign of this city’s strength that a longago vision of improving quality of life in Lawrence is today manifested in something that can be shared and enjoyed by all. Creating green-space and public parks in urban communities is an excellent way to revitalize neighborhoods and further economic development in our cities, which is why I reintroduced legislation to provide annual support for Groundwork organizations across the country.”
Though the ribbon cutting marks the Greenway’s official opening, residents have already been enjoying the new attraction. Sister Eileen Burns, Executive Director at the Notre Dame Education Center in Lawrence, takes her mother, Pauline Burns, on walks along the Greenway. Said Sister Eileen: “I began taking my mom out in her wheelchair from the Mary Immaculate Nursing Home. We walk the path through the ball field and down to Central Catholic. Sometimes we head in the other direction. It has given her so much joy to watch the height of the river, see and hear the birds and follow the seasonal cycles of the trees. She is so confined and this has helped free her! ”
Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been making change happen since 2001 by bringing together government, schools, businesses, and other nonprofits to lead community-driven initiatives focused on building a healthier, stronger, more vibrant city. GWL restores and revitalizes open spaces through parks, community gardens, greenways, and trails, and provides programs centered on youth education, job training, fresh food access, environmental awareness, healthy living, and community engagement and stewardship. With the local stakeholders, GWL creates the building blocks of a healthy community, and empowers residents to improve their quality of life. GWL is part of the Groundwork USA network. For more information on Groundwork Lawrence or Groundwork USA visit www.groundworklawrence.org or www. groundworkusa.net.
The Lawrence Community Development Department focuses on improving the quality of life in Lawrence. As the city’s chief agency for community planning and urban development, the CDD oversees programs in housing, economic development, land use planning, and transportation. Among the grants that the department administers is the Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, one of the largest sources of funds to help the community. The CDD aims to enhance the physical environment and improve the quality of life for the diverse community of Lawrence. We invite you to learn more about our programs. For more information visit http:// www.cityoflawrence.com/communitydevelopment. aspx.
