Malden Awarded $400K Grant To Improve Its Largest Park

MALDEN, MA — The city received a $400,000 grant for improvements at Devir Park on Fellsway West. The grant is the maximum amount awarded under the state's Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant program, administered by the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

The 8.1-acre park, Malden's largest, will be revitalized to meet the needs of residents and the many youth organizations that use the space annually. The proposed project calls for the planting of more than 60 new trees, more clearly defined park entrances, accessible walkways throughout the park, an accessible loop walkway with benches and shade trees that will connect various park destinations and fitness stations throughout the southern part of the walk.

The plan also includes removing the baseball fields in the western part of the park and installing a new regulation women's softball field. The grassed recreation fields will be expanded to accommodate a regulation high school soccer field, which will also be used for U-8 games.

The playground will be replaced with new equipment and defined areas suitable for ages 2-5 and 5-12, with new accessible, resilient rubber safety surfacing. A new splash pad will be installed, as well as new benches, bicycle racks and lighting.

The project will be completed in two phases, the first of which will cost approximately $3 million.

The city held three public meetings and several walkthroughs with residents and city officials, where the community could give feedback on the park master plan.

"This project reinvests in Malden's largest park by improving this great recreational asset for future generations," Mayor Gary Christenson said.

The city is seeking to combine bond funding with other local and state sources to undertake the first two phases.

"Devir Park has evolved over the years from a neighborhood park to one enjoyed by children and adults from across the city," said Councillor Paul Condon. "I'm grateful that we have programs like PARC grants and funding sources such as the Community Preservation Fund so that large scale projects like this can become a reality. I want to thank Mayor Christenson for recognizing the value in the project and making a substantial financial commitment to make it a reality. Thank you to co-chair Jenelle DeVits and the Devir Park Revitalization Committee, as this project will be a shining example of what can happen when residents and government officials work together."

Shadley Associates, landscape architects and site planning consultants, is finalizing the design plans for the first two phases.