Going green

Opened in 2018, the Captain Jack Peterson Dog Park is the newest park in New Bedford.

CITY IN A PARK

By Cara Connelly

March 19 marks the first day of spring, and according to The Famer’s Almanac it’s going to be a nice one for the South Coast. Our region boasts some of superlative parks that offer unique amenities, summer recreation programs, and which participate in various community and civic events. Here’s a breakdown of some of the larger parks in our area:

NEW BEDFORD

The New Bedford Department of Parks, Recreation, and Beaches manages just over 30 parks, playgrounds, beaches, and recreational facilities for city residents and visitors. It is managed through the governance of the Park Board of Commissioners and runs on a budget of just over $2.2 million. In January 2018, the newest park was built in New Bedford, the Captain Jack Peterson Dog Park. Located on Hathaway Boulevard, between Greenwood Street and Ruggles Street, the park’s roughly $244,000 price tag was completely grant funded. The dog park is open to city residents who have an active dog license and become members. The annual fee for membership is $25 with an additional one time fee of $10 to purchase a fob, which allows access into the park. The park is open year round from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

New Bedford is also host to a beach parking program during the summer. The beaches in the program include West Beach, East Beach (otherwise known as Gaudreau Memorial Beach), and all the beaches inside Fort Taber. The program requires residents and non-residents to purchase a seasonal parking pass or pay a daily rate for parking. Daily passes are not available at West Beach; a seasonal pass is required. New Bedford residents pay $10, New Bedford seniors (65+)

pay $5, greater New Bedford residents (Dartmouth, Freetown, Acushnet, and Fairhaven) pay $20 and non-resident parking passes are $50. Beaches are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seasonally.

TAUNTON

According to Marilyn Green, Park Commissioner, the Taunton parks department works with an annual budget of almost $2.5 million dollars. Salaries and wages take up a large chunk of that, ($1,159,286), employing a commissioner, recreations supervisor, maintenance supervisor, clerical employee, 10 maintenance employees, as well seasonal, part-time employees. Other expenses include upkeep for all cemeteries, parks, playgrounds, public areas, tree removal, conservation land programs, and maintenance for a municipal pool that all toidentify as part of the city where they live. The father of landscape architecture in America, Frederick Law Olmstead, designed three of the city’s parks and playgrounds: Ruggles Park, North Park, and Kennedy Park. The parks division is responsible for the maintenance of all city parks and playgrounds, a summer recreation program, the participation in various civic events, and the hosting of the 4th of July fireworks.

With a budget of $2,441,546, the division maintains 23 parks and playgrounds, which is the bulk of the park and recreation system. The department maintains small tot lots, playgrounds, and expansive fields at both Kennedy and North Parks. Additionally, it cares for approximately 172 acres of park land, 15 miles of median strips throughout the city, and 11 memorial greens. The park division maintains and

OUR REGION OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF PARK AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES. IF YOU ARE ENTERTAINING KIDS, THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF PLAYGROUNDS–MANY THAT FEATURE EQUIPMENT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO KIDS WITH DISABILITIES.

tals $761,302. The Recreation Division, under the umbrella of the park department, organizes and hosts the summer festival program, family 4th of July night, the Christmas parade, and other special events. The recreation division also offers year-round youth athletic leagues. Greene reports the focus of the $540,000 capital overlay will include several renovations and new projects. “Our biggest budget item is the $217,000 that has been earmarked for major improvements to the only municipal pool in the city of Taunton. The two-phase project will be complete by summer 2020.” Additional projects include renovations to the Liberty & Union Linear Park on Main Street as well as Memorial Park. New purchases will include an aerial lift bucket truck and digital CAD and PDF software for cemetery records. Currently, a new full-size basketball court is being installed on First Street and will be ready by the summer.

FALL RIVER

The main parks in the city of Fall River are neighborhood landmarks that people improves all facilities to ensure access for the young, elderly, and people with disabilities to enjoy the recreational opportunities throughout the city.

According to Parks Manager/Director Nancy Smith, “there is a renovation project slated for the Aetna Street playground located on Aetna Street adjacent to the Maple Gardens Housing Project.” It will be completed by July.

Our region offers a wide range of park and recreation activities. If you are entertaining kids, there are a myriad of playgrounds – many that feature equipment that is accessible to kids with disabilities. Grab your bike and enjoy a peddle around the park, sign up for an organized recreational activity, shoot some hoops at your local basketball court, channel your inner Serena Williams and head to a local tennis court, take a nature walk, or enjoy a walk on the beach – a great activity any time of year. With spring just around the corner and summer fewer than 100 days later, plan some time to enjoy free fun at your local park.

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