SHELBURNE FALLS — With an initiative to raise the required $50,000 match to a Commonwealth Places grant from MassDevelopment having met its goal, the village will move forward with plans to continue mosaic installations and the initial phases of the bicycle-themed pocket park.

Since mid-January, organizers have raised $57,275 for these projects. Paired with the $50,000 grant, they have a total of $107,275 to use. Two large donations, of $30,000 from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and $12,000 from a local resident, helped push the fundraiser across the finish line.

“We are absolutely thrilled,” said Project Coordinator Whit Sanford. “Our contributors went well beyond the dollar-for-dollar match.”

Now, Sanford said, artist Cindy Fisher, the Pocket Park Committee, the town of Buckland and the project’s fiscal sponsor, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, can begin work on the two projects.

As she first did 12 years ago, Fisher has been working with property and business owners this winter and spring to create an array of mosaic murals along Conway Street from the Bridge of Flowers to The Mill at Shelburne Falls. Her first mosaics of New England wildlife will be up by the end of the summer.

At the same time, the Pocket Park Committee and town of Buckland will develop detailed construction documents for a bicycle-themed pocket park at the corner of Conway, Depot and State streets, and hold public information and input meetings later in 2023. Phase I of the project will be completed in 2024 by constructing the ramps, railings and pavilion, and purchasing picnic tables, bike racks and a mechanical fix-it station. Phase II, which is slated to be done in the summer of 2025, includes creating a spiral staircase to Depot Street, a village viewing platform and a garden to complement the Bridge of Flowers. The completion of this project will depend on additional fundraising efforts.

“This is going to allow us to get a more comprehensive engineering survey done, which is underway right now,” said Mike McCusker, chair of the Pocket Park Committee.

Sanford explained the two projects fit well together for fundraising purposes because the mosaic project will have a quick turnaround, with a completion date this summer. The pocket park project, meanwhile, will take longer.

“They complement one another and allow us to raise money for both,” Sanford said.

The two linked projects are intended to boost the area’s arts community, support the economy and increase the enjoyment of the historic village. The pocket park will welcome locals, bicyclists, shoppers and visitors, while the new mosaics will visually connect the two sides of the village.

With the absence of the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association, which Sanford was a part of, residents are still involved in boosting the village’s economy. With a new task force taking over the Shelburne Falls website and groups raising money for capital improvements, Sanford said the village continues to be the “heart of West County.”

The Connecting Commerce & Life in Downtown Shelburne Falls crowdfunding website at Patronicity.com/SFPocketPark will continue to accept donations and provide updates. It describes the two projects and how contributions through the Franklin County Community Development Corporation will ensure the creation of the mosaics and construction of the pocket park. Donations can be made online or checks payable to “FCCDC/Shelburne Falls Initiative” may be mailed to 324 Wells St., Greenfield, MA 01301.

More information on the two projects will be posted on two Facebook pages (Shelburne Falls in a Nutshell and Shelburne Falls Village Network), and the Franklin County CDC’s website, fccdc.org. With questions, contact Whit Sanford at holawhit@gmail.com.

“The town is growing, Sanford said, “and this will help draw businesses to Conway Street and attract visitors.”

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

]]>