Arlington Awarded Federal Grant For Reservoir Restoration

ARLINGTON, MA — A federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant was awarded to the Department of Planning and Community Development for the Arlington Reservoir Restoration Project.

The grant, totaling $306,940, will be spent on additional improvements to the park, perimeter trail and water body. These include erosion control measures, removal of invasive plants and installation of native plantings, construction of overlook seating and an improved boat launch, reconstruction of entrance pathways and installation of interpretive signs with historic, environmental and recreational information.

The project, now in its second phase, has thus far been financed through capital funds and the Community Preservation Act.

The Arlington Reservoir, known as the Res, includes a walking trail, habitat garden, playground and bathing beach, centralized around a natural body of water. The property spans both Arlington and Lexington, but is owned by the town of Arlington.

The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was established in 1964 to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide recreational opportunities to Americans.

Any community with an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan, as well as the departments of Conservation and Recreation and Fish and Game, are eligible to apply for this program. The number of grants and amount of funding awarded increased this year due to the passage of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which guarantees $900 million in perpetuity.

The Arlington Reservoir Restoration Project was one of 10 projects to receive funding through the program.

Read more about the Arlington Reservoir Master Plan and Phase II improvements at arlingtonma.gov/projects.