Medford Carr Park Funding Included In Federal Budget Package

MEDFORD, MA — Plans to add new solar power infrastructure at Medford’s Carr Park will receive $1.5 million in funding support through the $1.7 trillion federal government 2023 fiscal year budget bill passed in Congress and sent to President Joe Biden last week.

Congresswoman Katherine Clark announced the local money as part of a larger batch of earmarks secured for specific projects in Massachusetts’ Fifth Congressional District.

“Our local leaders know best where federal resources can make a difference, and I am proud to have partnered with them to bring home investments that will improve our climate resiliency and make life more affordable for Massachusetts families,” Clark said of local earmarks in her announcement.

Medford officials unveiled a preferred design and vision plan in November of last year for envisioned renovation work at Carr Park.

The plan followed a lengthy public input period. Its completion, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said at the time, kicked off a new phase of work focused on securing necessary funding.

The plan, according to Lungo-Koehn, was meant to guide applications for grants and other funding opportunities.

Federal money for solar infrastructure now backs the implementation of what is described as a “resilient community solar park,” helping pay for a solar array over a basketball court at Carr Park, according to Clark. Solar coverage, which could also extend over a seating pavilion, will power electric vehicle charging stations, new LED lighting and phone and laptop charging stations in the seating pavilion. Solar infrastructure will additionally power playground water features at the new Carr Park, with any extra electricity generated through solar panels sent to Medford’s nearby fire station.

Carr Park is located off Winslow Avenue in Medford.

A previous city timeline for Carr Park's redevelopment estimated that some renovations could begin in 2023, potentially proceeding from there in phases based on funding availability.

Lawmakers sent their funding package to Biden on Friday of last week. The legislation includes over $15 billion in earmarks, now known as "community projects," as reported by the New York Times.

Biden responded in a statement Friday, celebrating the agreement and saying he would sign the funding package into law.