Fall River receives $400,000 to renovate Kennedy Park tennis courts, create city’s first pickle ball courts

The Baker-Polito Administration last week awarded $10,090,749 in grant funding for park improvements, open space acquisitions, and land conservation projects in 37 Massachusetts communities and six conservation districts which included Fall River. The grants, funded by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ capital budget and administered through several programs, including the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities, Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity, Conservation Partnership, and Conservation District Innovation Grant Programs, will help municipalities and land trusts in their efforts to protect land for future generations for outdoor recreation purposes. The announcement was made by Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito at the City of Lowell’s South Common as part of the Administration’s celebration of Climate Week in Massachusetts.

“Massachusetts has great open spaces and natural resources that not only provide recreation and access to the great outdoors, but make the Commonwealth more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration has made land conservation and local park improvements a key priority since coming into office in 2015, and our proposal to direct $100 million of federal relief funding into parks and open spaces will allow us to invest even more resources into these important projects, especially in Gateway Cities and underserved communities that need better access to green spaces.”

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the state’s green spaces and parks has never been more important to residents in every community across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The PARC, LAND and Conservation Partnership programs all play a critical role in ensuring the public has many opportunities to explore and enjoy natural recourses that are available close to home, and we’re proud to work with partners in municipalities across the Commonwealth to support these park improvement projects.”

The Administration awarded $8 million through the PARC Grant Program to support 24 projects that will support the development of parks and outdoor recreational assets. The program was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for parks and outdoor recreation purposes. Any community with an up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plan is eligible to apply for the program. Since 2015, the Administration has awarded $47 million to 153 projects to acquire land for and build new parks, and renovate existing ones.

Additionally, the Administration awarded $1.2 million to four projects through the LAND Grant Program. The program was established in 1961 to assist municipal conservation commissions in acquiring land for natural resource protection and passive outdoor recreation purposes. Since 2015, the Administration has awarded more than $16 million to support 75 projects that have permanently protected more than 4,576 acres.

“Through these programs, the Baker-Polito Administration is partnering with local communities and land trusts to protect critical open spaces and support the acquisition and restoration of local parks that provide important access to the outdoors, especially in our urban communities and Gateway Cities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The enthusiasm and joy residents across our Commonwealth have for these special places and the strong desire to get outside throughout the pandemic demonstrate the need for even greater investments in resilient lands, natural resources, and outdoor recreation through Governor Baker’s ARPA spending plan.”

The Administration also awarded $740,000 to support nine projects through the Conservation Partnership Grant program. The program provides funding to assist non-public, not-for-profit corporations in acquiring interests in lands suitable for conservation or recreation purpose. Since 2015, the Administration has awarded $4.5 million to support 64 projects that have permanently protected more than 2,300 acres of land.

Additionally, the Conservation District Innovation Grant Program also offers funding to any of the conservation districts across the state to help conduct outreach and education, and implement new and innovative ideas for projects. The funding will also enable Conservation Districts to implement innovative projects to improve soil health, enhance carbon sequestration, and increase climate resilience.

“Investing in parks and open spaces represents one of the most impactful means of improving quality of life in a community, and I am grateful for the Baker-Polito Administration’s continued commitment to partnering with municipalities to support park improvement projects,” said Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue. “The support received through the PARC grant program will enable the City of Lowell to undertake significant enhancements to South Common and ensure that the historic park meets the current recreational needs of Lowell residents.”

“These grants represent important open space investments in communities all across the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell). “In Lowell, the award will allow the city to continue phase two of the South Common Master Plan by redoing the walking paths and center field. I want to thank the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for their administration of these important programs.”

“Thank you, Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito, for your invaluable assistance in securing these vital funds to protect and preserve our natural environment and expand our green space in the City of Lowell,” said State Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell). “Lowell needs more green space; and this is another great step towards that goal.”

Among local beneficiaries, Fall River received $400,000 in PARC grants for a project at Kennedy Park.

The project will include renovating four tennis courts and the creation of the city’s first official pickle ball courts.

Pickle ball has become a fast growing sport that combines tennis, badminton, and ping-pong and is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Plymouth will use $400,000 to improve public access to Jenney Pond, Pilgrim Trail, and connect to Holmes Park.