NORTHAMPTON — Minutes before Mayor David Narkewicz cut the ribbon marking completion of phase two of the Pulaski Park renovations Friday afternoon, people in wheelchairs and on bikes were already making use of the new ramps connecting the park to the Roundhouse lot.
“It really opens up the park and creates better accessibility to Main Street and the rail trail system,” Narkewicz said. “It’s just a beautiful green space.”
During phase two, on which construction began in October, workers converted a steep drop-off at the back of the park to an overlook with a series of switchback ramps accessible to strollers, wheelchairs, bikes and more. Alongside the ramps are greenery and a new staircase, replacing an older, steeper one.
“There was a staircase, but it was for Olympic training only,” Narkewicz joked to a small crowd during the grand opening ceremony.
Adin Maynard, a Northampton resident who often uses the rail trail, biked up and down the new park ramps Friday afternoon with his daughter, Eleanor, 4, pedaling behind.
“The connection to the bike path is really important,” Maynard said. “Main Street isn’t really accessible to bikes, so to have a connection to downtown businesses is great.”
Maynard said he’s followed the planning of the park for years and feels grateful a 2008 plan for a hotel at the rear of the park fell through, making way for the new ramps.
“Now, it’s a space for all citizens in Northampton to enjoy,” he said.
Phase one of the Pulaski Park renovation was unveiled almost exactly a year ago. The update transformed the look of the park, adding new features including cafe-style seating, a children’s play area and more greenery.
Narkewicz said the renovated park has attracted more people to the downtown area, drawing them into local businesses.
“It’s really a flexible common space people young and old can enjoy,” he said.
Planning for the renovation of Pulaski Park took off in 2013 after state law changed to make Community Preservation Act grants available for projects like the park update.
The city received $1,450,000 in city CPA funds and a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant from the state for phase one.
The city secured an additional $805,400 in CPA funding and another $400,000 PARC grant for phase two. Narkewicz said he expects the project to come in at or slightly below its $1.2 million budget.
There were several forums in 2014 for residents to tell the city what they wanted to see in the park, and those who worked on the project singled this out as an important step in the process.
“We’ve really come a long way since schematic meetings three years ago,” said Garrett Stone, who works with Stephen Stimson Associates, the landscape architect business hired for the park renovations. “It’s a great feeling not only to see a park built, but to have input from the community.”
Narkewicz, too, spoke of the importance of public input in his speech at the unveiling ceremony.
“We really tried to listen to the things people want,” he said. “It’s a great project, and it’s a testament to the residents of Northampton. This is your park.”