New Veterans’ Memorial, murals, updates to city park coming to Fall River

Fall River, MA – Mayor Paul Coogan has announced the first round of mini-grant winners for the Love Your Block program, a resident led effort to revitalize neighborhoods through small, high-impact projects. In partnership with the Department of Community Maintenance, the Fall River Park Board, and the Fall River Community Development Agency, the city received a strong response from community groups proposing creative ways to improve local neighborhoods and public spaces in collaboration with city government.

The Love Your Block program, powered by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, brings city leaders and residents together to build stronger neighborhoods, one block at a time. The four selected projects reflect a strong commitment to community pride, neighborhood beautification, and civic engagement, aligning with Fall River’s priorities around “increasing neighborhood stability and commitment”, supporting families, and expanding recreational opportunities for Fall River residents.

Winning projects include:

● Flint Neighborhood Association –

Access to community gathering spaces: A new Veterans’ Memorial will be established at the Alden Street entrance of Father Travassos Park. The installation will feature benches and a flagpole, creating a welcoming space for reflection and honoring those who have served.

Challenges Addressed

The Flint Community Veterans Memorial addresses the lack of dedicated public space in the neighborhood for honoring veterans and reflecting on their service. Many community members have long felt there was no central, visible place to gather, pay tribute, or simply pause to remember those who have served. The memorial also helps fill a gap in accessible outdoor spaces designed for quiet reflection and community connection.

Why It’s Important

Establishing this memorial is more than just adding a new feature to the park. It creates a meaningful space for veterans, their families, and the wider community to honor sacrifice and service. It encourages a sense of pride and unity, reminding everyone of the contributions made by local veterans. By providing benches and a flagpole in a prominent location, the memorial invites residents to reflect, remember, and come together strengthening the fabric of the Flint neighborhood and ensuring that the legacy of service is visible for future generations.

● Fall River Youth Marines— 1 Project

Public Park improvements: The Fall River Youth Marines are expanding the garden at Father Travassos Park into an outdoor classroom with accessible beds, shared tools, a compost bin, and educational signage. These additions will support environmental education and bring the community together for learning and connection.

Challenges Addressed

The Father Travassos Park Community Garden Expansion tackles several key challenges in the neighborhood. First, it addresses limited access to green spaces where residents can learn about gardening, sustainability, and the environment. Many neighbors, especially youth, lack hands-on opportunities to explore these topics locally. The project also helps reduce barriers for people with disabilities or limited mobility by adding accessible garden beds. Additionally, the inclusion of a compost bin and educational signage offers a practical solution to organic waste, encouraging responsible recycling and environmental awareness.

Why It’s Important

This expansion turns the park into a living classroom where people of all ages can connect, learn new skills, and care for their local environment. By making gardening accessible and providing tools and resources, the project empowers residents to take an active role in community life. It fosters environmental stewardship, encourages healthier lifestyles, and strengthens neighborhood ties. Most importantly, it creates a welcoming space for workshops, shared experiences, and lasting connection and helping Fall River grow together in every sense.

● YEAH! Corps — 2 Projects

Public art/mural: Two new projects will brighten the Flint neighborhood and Father Travassos Park. At the park, community benches, a mural on the hockey rink, and an asphalt mural will add color and much needed gathering spaces. On Pleasant Street, a public art mural will boost local businesses and celebrate community spirit. Both efforts will involve local youth, helping them build skills and take pride in their neighborhood.

Challenge Addressed

The Flint neighborhood and Father Travassos Park have suffered from underused spaces, a lack of inviting places to gather, and limited opportunities for youth to get involved in positive, skill-building activities. Many areas are visually plain, and local businesses on Pleasant Street struggle to stand out and attract customers.

Why It’s Important

These projects are important because they make public spaces more welcoming and vibrant, encouraging residents to come together and strengthening community bonds. By involving local youth, the initiatives offer valuable experience and a sense of ownership, while also helping small businesses and boosting neighborhood pride. The result is a more lively, connected, and resilient community.

● Avo’s Feast

Public art/mural Avo’s Feast will establish an outdoor mural on its west-facing exterior wall. The mural will celebrate the heritage, cuisine, and traditions that define Avo’s Feast, honoring the culture it cherishes and sharing it with the Flint community for generations to come.

Challenge Addressed

The challenge addressed is the need to celebrate and preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Flint neighborhood. As the area changes over time, important traditions and community identity can fade. There’s also a lack of visible, vibrant public art that reflects the neighborhood’s rich history and diverse backgrounds.

Why It’s Important

Creating this mural is important because it visually honors the heritage, cuisine, and traditions that make Avo’s Feast and the Flint community special. It strengthens cultural pride, invites conversation, and helps connect generations. The mural also adds beauty and character to the area, making the neighborhood more inviting while ensuring that its stories and spirit are shared with both current residents and future generations.

“As Fall River continues to invest in resident-driven solutions, Love Your Block plays a vital role in fostering collaboration between local government and community members. By providing mini-grants and hands-on support, the program helps residents transform public spaces, strengthen neighborhood connections, and build a greater sense of ownership and pride in their communities. I extend congratulations to all the nonprofit award recipients and express gratitude to the city’s partners and residents, and to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, for making this initiative possible.”

Residents interested in learning more about the Love Your Block program in Fall River or volunteering to support local projects can visit Love Your Block Fall River.