Stoneham CDC Celebrates Bike Rack Donation to Public Library

A release from the Stoneham Community Development Corporation:

The Stoneham Community Development Corporation (CDC) gathered with the staff of the Stoneham Public Library, representatives from StonehamBank and representatives from the Town of Stoneham to dedicate new bike racks at the Library on Friday morning, June 14.

Using funds from a generous grant from StonehamBank and donations to their community fundraising campaign, the CDC purchased the royal blue, book-shaped “READ” bike racks and donated them to the Library in April 2019. Both the Stoneham CDC and the Friends of the Tri-Community Greenway identified secure bike racks as a community goal.

"When we surveyed Stoneham residents about bike racks in the community, the library was listed as the highest priority. We are thrilled to have fulfilled this community need,” said Joan Lemire, President of Stoneham CDC and Secretary of the Bikeway/ Greenway Committee. She also commented that “this project is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the community comes together around an idea – it would not have been possible without the support and efforts of volunteers, the business community, individual donors, the Town of Stoneham and Library staff and trustees.”

The Stoneham CDC will continue Phase 1 of the Bike Racks for Stoneham project this summer with the installation of custom-designed racks for the Town Common. The Bike Racks project has been generously supported by StonehamBank, the Town of Stoneham, the Martin Richard Foundation, City Cycle and numerous Stoneham residents. To learn more about and donate to the project, go to http://www.stonehamcdc.org.

The Stoneham CDC is an all-volunteer group made up of local residents and business owners who are dedicated to increasing the community well-being of Stoneham by undertaking community development projects, special events, and supporting long-term planning. It grew out of the Stoneham Town Center Action Plan developed for the Town of Stoneham with the guidance of the MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) in 2014. The CDC works to promote Stoneham and its amenities to a wider audience. They are now pursuing a number of projects including building a loop trail around Spot Pond, bike parking at key locations around town, increasing the number of cultural events for residents and visitors, and more transportation improvements.

Pictured in the Photo: Mary Celli, StonehamBank, Vice-President; Joan Lemire, Stoneham CDC President; Mark Drew, StonehamBank, Senior Vice-President/Lending; Jenny Lecoq, Stoneham CDC Vice-President; Mike Bratina, Stoneham CDC Treasurer; Brett Gonsalves, Stoneham DPW Director; Dennis Sheehan, Stoneham Town Administrator; Jessica Chasse, Stoneham CDC Board; Nicole Langley, Stoneham Public Library, Director