Beverly's First Holcroft Park Fix In 20 Years To Begin With State Funding Grant

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly is set to move forward with a $600,000 renovation of Holcroft Park — the first extensive work on the park in about two decades — following the acceptance of a $400,000 state Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to offset about 58 percent of the expected expense.

The City Council approved the PARC grant at its Dec. 18 meeting.

The grant will allow for a new basketball court, playground, lighting improvements, fencing and other pavilion and walkway fixes to the park that has fallen into disrepair in recent years. A picnic area and better accessibility will be added to the park, which is also called Gage Street Playground, and is in the Gloucester Crossing area of the city.

"Beverly has utilized the PARC Grant program to build, enhance, and renovate several parks throughout our city with great success," Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said. "This grant funding is so very important and vital to support and improve our municipal parks and recreation assets. We are excited to begin improvements to Holcroft Park for our residents."

Beverly Finance Director Bryant Ayles told the Council last month that the remainder of the cost not funded through the grant is expected to be covered through a donation from the Lynch Park Trustees and money in the city's Community Preservation Act fund.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, we won't borrow a dime for this program," Ayles said.

According to PARC grant guidelines, work will not be able to begin on the park until July 1 but must be completed by June 2025.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing on the grant acceptance said the improvements will be welcomed for a park that is underused in the neighborhood because of worn and rusty equipment that may be dangerous to children.

"This grant will help us make the park a more welcoming and accessible area for residents of all ages and abilities," Recreation Director Bruce Doig said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)