Arlington Uses $50K Grant To Revamp Popular Parklet

ARLINGTON, MA — The town used a $50,000 grant from MassDOT's Shared Streets and Spaces program to upgrade its popular Medford Street parklet.

The space now includes new furnishings like an at-grade accessible platform, solar-powered umbrellas featuring LED lights and phone chargers and plantings.

The parklet was identified for equipment upgrades due to its frequent usage since its installation in the fall of 2020. A section of Park Terrace will continue to be closed to vehicle traffic to accommodate the outdoor seating area and pedestrian plaza.

The space is maintained through a collaboration between the town and local business owners. The Department of Planning and Community Development wrote the grant application, produced the parklet design and obtained the equipment with the MassDOT grant funding, while the Department of Public Works installed the parklet.

Abutting restaurants Gail Ann's, La Victoria Taqueria and Lucky Dragon have agreed to water the plants and maintain a clean seating area. Jessica Lane, an Arlington resident who owns Inspired Gardens, was the landscaper who provided the plantings.