First Part Of Whittemore Park Improvements Completed

ARLINGTON, MA — The town will mark the completion of the first phase of Whittemore Park improvements with a community celebration on Monday, Oct. 25.

The event will feature remarks from Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, Eric Helmuth of the Select Board, Clarissa Rowe of the CPA Committee, and Heather Leavell and Beth Locke, directors of the Dallin Museum and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, respectively.

An optional tour featuring an overview of the site redesign and improvements will follow. Design documents identifying work to be completed in Phase 2, scheduled to begin in the spring of 2022, will be available for review. Refreshments will be provided by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and members of the public are invited to attend.

The first phase included renovations to the portion of the park in front of the Jefferson Cutter House, including the creation of a circuit path, removal of trees, new planting and landscaping, renovations to the rail corridor and improvements to the central lawn. Phase 1 was funded through CPA funds and the town of Arlington.

The second phase will address accessibility improvements to the path between Mystic Street and the Jefferson Cutter House. The existing side gardens will be renovated and replaced with new gardens, updated seating and accessible pathways. Phase 2 is funded through the town of Arlington and the Community Development Block Grant program.

The project is being guided by the Department of Planning and Community Development, with input from a working group composed of representatives from the Historical Commission, Historic Districts Commission, Dallin Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Cutter Gallery, and property and business owners in Arlington Center.

The planning process finished in August 2018, resulting in a design that aims to transform the small green space at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Mystic Street into a "focal point for recreation and civic functions, as well as a place to appreciate Arlington's cultural heritage," according to a town press release.

The celebration of Whittemore Park improvements will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday (rain date Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m.).

For more information about the Whittemore Park Project, or to RSVP for the reopening celebration, contact Ali Carter, Economic Development Coordinator and Phase 1 project manager, at acarter@town.arlington.ma.us or 781-316-3095, or Kelly Lynema, Assistant Director and Phase 2 project manager, at klynema@town.arlington.ma.us or 781-316-3096.