The Trustees have awarded the contract for the work to be done at Mary Cummings Park. Here is the press release from the Trustees:
May 1, 2020
Re: Construction to Begin at Mary Cummings Park, Burlington, MA
Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you and your families safe and well during these difficult times. I wanted to reach out and update you on Mary Cummings Park.
Construction work to restore Mary Cummings Park will begin on Friday, May 8, 2020. The park consists of 209 acres of land in Burlington and Woburn, which is held in trust by the City of Boston and includes a variety of natural habitats, including wetlands, fields, forests, and thickets. The Trustees has an MOU with the City of Boston to manage the park.
Arborists have completed the pre-construction work, clearing a mix of invasive species in order to open views of new landscapes and make space for new areas including parking, a park entrance, a pollinator meadow, and a picnic lawn. The park’s benefactor, Mary Cummings, wanted to ensure the park was “forever open as a public pleasure ground.”
Haven Construction Corporation of Westwood, MA was awarded the construction contract through the public bidding process. Their work will include a new parking lot off Blanchard Road, which will offer access to the park, with 20 parking spaces and a bike rack. They will construct a boardwalk to the marsh, thanks to a generous donation from MilliporeSigma.
The Trustees stewardship staff will enhance existing trails, and build some new trails to improve circulation, correct drainage issues, and reduce the impact on wetland resources. In addition, new wayfinding signage and trailhead kiosks will be installed to orient visitors.
The improvements to Mary Cummings Park will make the park more accessible to all and bring this natural resource back to life, enhancing the visitor experience and helping to increase awareness and appreciation of the park as a public resource.
The restoration work is being undertaken in compliance with state guidelines during the COVID-19 Stay at Home advisory. According to the state’s essential service FAQ distributed on March 25, 2020, landscapers and other businesses not operating out of a bricks-and-mortar location may continue to function with social distancing.
For any additional questions, please contact Kathy Macdonald: kmacdonald@thetrustees.org or Jeremy Dick: jdick@thetrustees.org
Stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Katherine K. Macdonald, Director