EASTHAMPTON — Just more than a month after the Easthampton all-wheels and skate park project received $250,000 from the city, another $425,000 state grant has nearly fully funded the project.
The funding comes from the latest round of state Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. This round of funding awarded more than $12 million in grants for projects in 40 communities across Massachusetts that will help protect open space, build parks and give more people access to the outdoors.
Backers of Easthampton’s proposed $750,000 skate park say the latest funding awards have pushed their fundraising to $675,000. The previous $250,000 was approved by the City Council in September, being appropriated from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.
“This gets us over halfway there, plus the CPA funding so we’re really close to being fully funded now,” said Jeff Burke, a member of the Easthampton Skate Park Committee.
The committee has overseen the project, which is approved to be built at Millside Park behind Eastworks, for the better part of the last decade. Through various hurdles and challenges, the project has been supported by the city and saw a wealth of support from many city councilor’s when the CPA funding was approved.
“Everything is lining up perfectly …,” Burke said. “It’s incredibly exciting coming from where we were and now it’s a completely different game.”
The committee will look to fundraise the final $75,000 through different events and through donations.
The design phase will begin shortly and is expected to be complete next July, with construction to start shortly after. The official opening of the park is slated for the spring of 2027.
Southampton lands state grants
Southampotn has received roughly $375,000 in two state grants to protect 27 acres along the shore of Alder Brook and to install a splash pad for recreational play at Conant Park.
Both grants come from the same round of state funding as the skate park grant in Easthampton, though the pond preservation grant worth roughly $281,000 comes from the Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) program rather than the PARC program.
Alder Brook connects to Alder Pond, which sits next to Fomer and Russellville roads. The pond is next to the protected Wolf Hill Conservation Area that spans more than 200 acres. The project will ensure the undeveloped shoreline at Alder Pond is protected and continues to support river otters, migrating waterfowl and turtles.
The Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species program designated the pond as a rare species priority habitat, supporting several threatened species that are found in close proximity along the Red Brook Corridor. Additionally, new hiking trails will be added to the overall network, aiming to improve access for passive recreation at the pond.
“Protecting open spaces is about investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement. “These projects support local economies, improve public health and make our neighborhoods better places to live. This funding helps ensure that every resident has access to the benefits of nature.”
The splash pad project received $99,000, which will fund the installation of a 600-square-foot pad with above ground water spray elements, as well as in-ground jet features.
Additionally, an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible walking trail will be created to connect different parts of Conant Park.
Easthampton hearing on $350K in CPA projects
EASTHAMPTON — The City Council will host a public hearing at the beginning of the next council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, requesting to appropriate roughly combined $350,000 in Community Preservation Act funds for three different projects.
The first appropriation requests $200,000 to be contributed to the construction of the Ferry Street housing project that plans to create more than 90 affordable housing units. This was recommended by the CPA committee in fiscal year 2024, to progress the long-term housing project.
The second request is for $78,020 to rebuild one of the retaining walls on the shore of Nashawannuck Pond. This will help leverage part of the shore that acts as a fishing spot for many residents.
The final request is for $75,000 to fund an assessment and restoration design of the Town Clock, that is part of the Easthampton Congregational Church on Main Street. The clock, which the city maintains, has been an item frequently on the agenda for city meetings.
