Worcester Gets Piece of $7.2 Million Grant for Renovation of City Parks

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester is among the communities receiving a piece of a $7,259,512 in grant funding from the state for park and recreation improvements in Massachusetts. The grants, administered through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant program, will be used to help municipalities acquire, develop, or renovate land for park and outdoor recreation purposes.

Worcester will receive $400,000 to renovate five playgrounds across the city: Burncoat Playground, Green Hill Park, Vernon Hill Park, Crompton Park and Bennett Field.

“The PARC program continues to play a vital role in protecting and improving the Commonwealth’s parkland by helping municipalities fund the acquisition of new parkland, as well as the renovation of existing parks to make them more accessible, usable, and modern,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement.

“Our administration is committed to improving outdoor recreational amenities in all of our communities by providing increased access to neighborhood parks and open spaces,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito in a statement.“The PARC program continues to give our municipal partners, who are on the front lines of local conservation efforts, the resources they need to help fund local park and recreation improvements for the benefits of all residents.”

Municipalities are able to apply for one of two types of PARC grant, depending on population of the city or town. Communities with less than 35,000 residents can apply for a maximum grant award of $50,000, and cities and towns with more than 35,000 residents can apply for up to a $400,000 grant award. Only projects that are to be developed for suitable outdoor recreation purposes, whether active or passive in nature, can be considered for funding. Grants are available for the acquisition of land and the construction, or renovation, of park and outdoor recreation facilities, with access by the general public required.

Any town with a population of 35,000 or more year-round residents, or any city regardless of size, that has an authorized park/recreation commission is eligible to participate in the PARC program. Communities that do not meet the population criteria listed above may still qualify under the “small town,” “regional,” or “statewide” project provisions of the program.

Photo of Crompton Park via City of Worcester