MILLERS FALLS — The park along the Millers River, off Newton Street, is likely to be expanded over the next year, in an effort led by the Millers Falls Community Improvement Association.
The larger part of the expansion will most likely be a new section of the park on the opposite side of Newton Street from the river, according to David Brule, a member of the Community Improvement Association. He said work might begin this spring at the earliest, depending on whether the Montague Planning and Conservation Department can fund it in the current fiscal year.
“We’re just trying to create a place where townspeople can go, a short walk from the center (of Millers Falls), and get close to the river,” Brule said.
If work begins this spring, Brule said, later phases will probably be planned for fiscal year 2022, which begins in July.
The Millers Falls Community Improvement Association is working with the Planning and Conservation Department to consider potential funding sources for the project. Montague Town Planner Walter Ramsey said cost estimates are not clear yet, but it is expected to be $6,000 or less that might come out of the town’s budget for fiscal year 2022. The project may be at least partially supported through grant funding.
Upgrades to the park were made in the spring of 2020, when Montague used grant money to build a walking trail and make upgrades to the small boat access ramp. The area had previously only had a gravel boat ramp, and was not clearly visible from the street.
The riverfront park is now one of two neighborhood parks in Millers Falls. Highland Park, on the opposite side of downtown Millers Falls, has playgrounds and sports fields.
The expansion of the riverside park was identified as a community goal in an update to Montague’s planning documents in 2019, Ramsey explained. This makes it easier for the town to work with community groups, like the Millers Falls Community Improvement Association, and to funnel grant money and other funding sources to the project.
“They (the Community Improvement Association) have really taken the plan and that park,” Ramsey said, “and they’re energized and driving the train on expanding this.”
Reach Max Marcus at
mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.