GREENFIELD — The town will soon get its first dog park and outdoor pickleball court after substantial renovations to Green River Park are completed this summer.
The park, located off of Petty Plain Road, will be closed for construction beginning Tuesday until further notice. It will undergo major renovations including a new basketball court, pickleball court, playground, pavilion, dog park, parking area and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements.
The project is expected to cost $627,872, according to Recreation Director Christy Moore.
“We are thrilled to break ground on this project,” she said on Monday. “The renovations will be a great asset to our community and our four legged friends.”
The town awarded the contract for the project to Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare Inc. of Chicopee. Greenfield received a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant from the state for the renovation of the park and $177,872 in additional funding from the Stanton Foundation for the creation of the dog park. The Stanton Foundation is a private foundation created by Frank Stanton, longtime president of CBS. Among its missions is promoting the welfare of dogs and encouraging the bond between people and dogs.
The town also contributed $50,000 for the renovations.
Moore said the project has been in the works for about two years and that the park will be closed during construction. A grand opening celebration will be held upon completion.
“It’s improving a town park, which is a great asset, and being able to build our first dog park in town and our first pickleball court is really exciting,” she said, adding pickleball was chosen because a group of players pushed for it at every public meeting about the project.
Under the terms of the grant, Moore said the bulk of the construction must be completed by June.
You can reach Aviva Luttrell at: aluttrell@recorder.com
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