Waltham Acquires 'Last Piece' Of Prospect Hill Park For $4 Million

WALTHAM, MA — The Waltham City Council approved $4 million in Community Preservation Committee funds to acquire a parcel of land that one councilor said will complete Prospect Hill Park.

These funds clear the way for the acquisition of 0 Prospect Hill Rd. and lot 1A Willard Street, officials said. The 5-acre parcel located in Ward 1 abuts Prospect Hill Park, and officials said it's remained undeveloped and served as an unofficial entrance point to the Prospect Hill Park trails.

Ward 1 Councillor Anthony LaFauci called the parcel "the last piece" of the park.

"This is not only a victory for the neighbors and the Ward, but this is a victory for the city," LaFauci said.

City officials said the acquisition has been in the works since as far back as 2017, with a goal of preserving and extending the park to the surrounding Ward 1 neighborhood.

In the application for funds, it was also noted that the city wanted to take control in order to keep the space affiliated with the park. The parcel was zoned as residential, meaning there was a chance the parcel could be sold and used for subdivisions or housing, therefore cutting off an access point to the park.

Now, with the funding approved, the city has other steps to take before closing.

According to a timeline provided in the application, a property survey should be done in March or April, with closing coming in May or June.

No construction work can begin on the parcel until a permanent conservation restriction has been applied, according to an order.

Once all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted, the project will be managed by the Housing and Community Development, Law and Assessors Department.