Press Release: 10/8/2026
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $13 Million to Create & Improve Local Parks and Protect Natural Land Across Massachusetts
Funding Will Help Fight Flooding, Reduce Extreme Heat and Give Residents More Access to Open Spaces
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/07/2026
Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced more than $13 million in grants to 45 projects across Massachusetts, investing in the creation of parks, the protection of forests and wetlands, and the expansion of safe, accessible outdoor spaces for residents. This funding will kickstart projects such as building new walking trails where residents can connect with nature, restoring green spaces in underserved neighborhoods, and preserving land near rivers and lakes that supply clean drinking water.
“These investments mean more parks, cleaner water and safer neighborhoods for people across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re making it easier for families to get outside, for kids to play and for everyone to enjoy what makes our state unique. This is about improving daily life for our residents and making our communities stronger.”
“When we build better parks, trails, and open spaces, we’re creating communities where people truly want to live,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants are investments in the health and happiness of our neighborhoods and in the local economies that benefit from thriving green spaces.”
The grants are awarded through three programs of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program helps cities and towns create and renovate outdoor recreation areas. The Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program supports conservation commissions in protecting natural land. The Conservation Partnership Grant Program funds nonprofit land trusts that work to conserve open space for future generations.
"Parks, forests and natural areas help stop flooding by soaking up rainwater, keep the air cleaner by trapping pollution, and provide shade that lowers temperatures in summer," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "People use these places to walk, play, and relax. Wildlife depends on them to survive. Protecting these areas now keeps our neighborhoods cooler, our air cleaner, and gives everyone more places to enjoy."
These grants are part of a broader effort to support local climate resilience and land conservation. Through the Governor’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act, the administration will invest in water and nature, strengthen local economies, and help communities adapt to extreme weather. The legislation also aims to fast-track the Massachusetts Biodiversity Goals, targeting the conservation of 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030 and 40 percent by 2050.
“Strong communities provide attractive environments in which children and families play, connect, and enjoy the outdoors,” said State Senator John F. Keenan (D-Norfolk and Plymouth). “I’m grateful to the Healey Administration for recognizing the lasting value of these investments, which strengthen neighborhoods and create spaces residents will cherish for generations. The Holbrook and Quincy grants will breathe new life into beloved parks and make them more accessible, safe, and enjoyable for kids and caregivers.”
“I am extremely pleased to see outdoor activities supported, particularly for our youngsters and those with limited mobility access!” said State Representative Steven J. Ouellette (D-8th Bristol). “I look forward to seeing the parks being utilized and enjoyed by all.”
Projects receiving PARC grants are:
| Municipality | Project Name | Project Description | Grant Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Byrne Playground Improvements | The improvements include a significantly expanded inclusive playground, upgraded water play area, renovated tennis and pickleball courts, a new accessible walking loop, improved pathways and circulation, enhanced seating and gathering areas, new lighting, upgraded landscaping, and expanded tree canopy. | $425,000 |
| Brockton | Danny Goodwin Memorial Park | The grant funds will support the renovation of the park’s heavily used basketball courts through the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, replacement of deteriorated fencing and protective screening, restoration of basketball equipment, installation of new bleachers, improvements to drainage issues, and architectural and engineering design services. | $115,500 |
| Chelsea | Bellingham Hill Park Renovation | The improvements will repair a portion of the park’s southern retaining wall, redesign the park plaza, and add play equipment and cooling features. | $425,000 |
| Dedham | Lewis Playground Renovation at Memorial Park | The project will renovate Lewis Playground to improve safety and accessibility, replace deteriorated equipment, expand inclusive play opportunities, and enhance user experience. | $409,248 |
| Fall River | Mae's Playground | The project will design and construct a wheelchair-accessible and sensory-friendly playground at the site of the former Abbott Court Playground. | $425,000 |
| Holbrook | Sumner Park Playground Improvements | The project includes installation of poured-in-place rubber playground surfacing and new inclusive play equipment, including musical play features, that will provide engaging recreational opportunities for children of all abilities. | $425,000 |
| Lawrence | Bennington Triangle | The project will design and construct a new 6,000 square foot park in the Arlington neighborhood. | $425,000 |
| Lynn | Ames Park Restoration Phase II | This project includes a universally accessible splash pad, open lawn, shade trees, benches, accessible walkways, and landscaped gathering spaces. | $425,000 |
| Malden | Linden Park Playground Renovation | This project will update the play areas, add fencing and replace mulch with rubberized surfaces, plant new trees, and install a shade shelter and new picnic tables. | $425,000 |
| New Bedford | Noah's Place Playground Renovation | The project will replace the deteriorated poured-in-place safety surfacing with a durable interlocking rubber tile system and outdated and non-functioning inclusive sensory play features, and add landscape improvements to increase shade and climate resilience. | $425,000 |
| Orleans | Eldredge Park Renovation Project | The renovation will include new and reconfigured courts, an upgraded inclusive playground with slope features, ADA-compliant walkways and connections, shaded picnic areas, tiered spectator seating, and enhanced site amenities such as lighting, seating, and stormwater systems. | $425,000 |
| Quincy | The Park @ Cleverly Court | The project includes the installation of kicker benches adjacent to playground. | $275,340 |
| Salem | High Street Park Renovation | The project will fully remodel the existing playground, add a recreation-sized bocce court, create a dedicated park space with café tables, benches, and chess tables, add permeable rubber surfacing, creates a third entryway, and repairs deteriorated wooden curbing and asphalt. | $425,000 |
| Somerville | ArtFarm | The grant will fund a water feature, play features for children of all ages, rain gardens, shrub and perennial plantings, 27 trees, and a central plaza promenade for festivals and art events. | $425,000 |
| Springfield | Hubbard Park | The project will include accessibility improvements at the park entrance and parking lot, accessible & inclusive splash pad, playground and picnic amenities, tree plantings, and landscaping improvements. | $425,000 |
| Woburn | Library Park Police Station Inclusive Playground | The project will replace the aging playground structure with new fully accessible and inclusive play equipment, installing accessible pathways and improved access points so that children, families, and caregivers of all abilities can safely and comfortably enjoy the space. | $425,000 |
Projects receiving Small Town PARC grants are:
| Belchertown | Chestnut Hill Recreation Area Multi-Purpose Surface | The project will develop the open, lit space adjacent to the existing basketball courts by installing a new 120-by-120-foot multipurpose, recreational asphalt slab. | $47,600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee | East Lee Park Renovation | The project will construct a modern, ADA-accessible playground featuring a new multi-use climbing structure, slides, swings, and engineered playground safety surfacing that meets current safety and accessibility standards. | $83,253 |
| Scituate | Scituate Harbor Park | The project will construct a public park for passive recreation, climate resilience, and scenic view preservation. | $100,000 |
| Swampscott | Phillips Park Basketball Court | The goal is to rehabilitate the existing basketball court by resurfacing the court's surface, installing new bike racks, benches, and trash receptacles, and improving lighting and fencing. | $68,656 |
| Ware | Grenville Park Pavilion and Drainage Project | The project will replace a 40+ year old pavilion/patio space with a new one; improve ADA accessibility to the pavilion, and repair park drainage. | $86,012 |
Projects receiving LAND grants are:
| Municipality | Project | Description | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belchertown | Metacomet Hills Conservation Area | This project will conserve 48 acres of forest between the Holyoke Range and Pelham Hill that connect to Quabbin Watershed Reservation, a high priority for land conservation. The property hosts the New England Scenic Trail, and abuts protected lands that include Town conservation land and Kestrel Land Trust's "Topping Farm". The Town is partnering with Kestrel Land Trust to permanently protect the property. | $425,000 |
| Gloucester | Magnolia Reserve Conservation Area | The City is partnering with Essex County Greenbelt to protect 94 acres adjacent to Magnolia Woods and Ravenswood Park, one of the largest remaining unfragmented forest landscapes on Cape Ann. The property contains woodlands and wetlands that are state designated Priority Habitat for rare species. The property will host public trails to connect to Ravenswood Park, Gloucester Water Supply Lands, and Greenbelt's Nelson Reservation creating a continuous conservation corridor. Greenbelt will manage the property for habitat protection and passive recreation, while the City will purchase a Conservation Restriction to ensure its permanent protection for wildlife habitat, water quality, groundwater recharge, flood resilience, and public access for generations. | $425,000 |
| Southampton | Tripple Brook & Whiteloaf Mountain Conservation Area | This Conservation Restriction purchase will permanently protect 82 acres on Whiteloaf Mountain. The property has climate-resilient forest and wetlands that support wildlife and contribute to protection of the Barnes Aquifer and the scenic landscapes in the region. The project will protect the undeveloped portions of Tripple Brook Farm and Whiteloaf Mountain while creating public access for future generations to enjoy the property. | $361,548 |
| Winchester | Forest Ridge Acquisition | Forest Ridge is a 14-acre undeveloped forest and wetland adjacent to the Middlesex Fells Reservation that contains mature forest,and a 2.5-acre freshwater wetland that contributes to the regional drinking water supply. Planned nature trail connections to the Middlesex Fells will expand public access for hiking and environmental education. | $425,000 |
Projects receiving Conservation Partnership grants are:
| Applicant | Project | Description | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Land Trust | Bridge Creek Land Protection | Acquisition of 18 acres in Barnstable, one of the last remaining large undeveloped tracts in the village, abutting the extensive 246-acre Town-owned Bridge Creek Conservation Area. | $251,650 |
| Berkshire Natural Resources Council | Dry Hill | Acquisition of 85 acres of forest land with unique rock features on Dry Hill in New Marlborough. Dry Hill provides a linkage between Berkshire Natural Resources Council’s Steepletop Reserve, Beartown State Forest, and Sandisfield State Forest. | $315,000 |
| Berkshire Natural Resources Council | West Road Greylock Glen | Acquisition of 83 acres directly adjacent to Mt. Greylock State Reservation and Greylock Glen. This largely wooded property contains a mixture of hardwood and softwood species and includes a prominent north-south ridge dominated by Eastern Hemlock that acts as a recognizable landmark as well as offers views of Mount Greylock to the west, and the Hoosac River Valley and Hoosac Range to the east. | $225,500 |
| Buzzards Bay Coalition | Angeline Brook Corridor Keystone | Acquisition of 30.0 acres of riparian forested land in Westport, including 2,028 linear feet of Angeline Brook. This cold-water coastal stream supports one of the few remaining strongholds of native coastal sea-run brook trout in southern New England. | $225,000 |
| Buzzards Bay Coalition | Wings Cove | Acquisition of 294 acres in Marion, one of southeastern Massachusetts' last large undeveloped coastal landscapes. The project will conserve coastal wetlands, forests, streams, and grasslands. The project will also provide expanded opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, environmental education, and other passive recreation. | $425,000 |
| Dennis Conservation Land Trust | Bakers Pond | Acquisition of 5.2 acres in Dennis to support wildlife habitats, preserve scenic vistas, protect sensitive watersheds and rare species, and maintain high quality drinking water for the residents of Dennis. The Dennis Water District is a project partner in this effort and will eventually hold a Conservation Restriction for Water Supply Protection on the property. | $425,000 |
| Dunstable Rural Land Trust | Robbins Farm | Acquisition of a 3.65-acre lot in Dunstable, surrounded by more than 400 acres of protected land. Securing this inholding maintains the integrity of a key forest corridor and protects wildlife habitats. The project will connect to an existing trail network. | $180,530 |
| Franklin Land Trust | Bug Hill Road CR | Conservation restriction on 171 acres in Ashfield. This land is primarily forested and features large open water wetlands formed by beaver dams. Existing snowmobile and hiking trails will be enhanced to offer opportunities for recreation and nature observation of the beaver ponds. | $72,250 |
| Franklin Land Trust | Shirkshire Farm CR | Conservation restriction on 99 acres in Conway that combines agricultural uses (hayfields and sheep pasture) as well as forest and wetlands. The longtime landowners intend to add a public trail that will lead to views of Mount Monadnock. | $215,050 |
| Harwich Conservation Trust | Six Ponds-Hawksnest Woods | Acquisition of a 2.3-acre woodland parcel in Harwich, within the Pleasant Bay watershed, abutting 400-acres of protected lands including town conservation land, existing Harwich Conservation Trust land, and Hawksnest State Forest. The acquisition would provide the opportunity to create a new trailhead and parking gateway at the easternmost extent of this open space assemblage, connecting to the extensive existing network of trails. | $263,000 |
| Hilltown Land Trust | Joe Wright Brook CR | Conservation restriction on 122 acres of forest habitat along Joe Wright Brook in Williamsburg. The land has important habitat and connectivity values. In addition, this project will create new recreational opportunities including access to a stream and fishing spot and as a site for educational programming related to sustainable forest management practices. | $230,300 |
| Kestrel Land Trust | Hop Brook Crossing | Acquisition of a forested 33-acre parcel in Belchertown containing important habitat along a coldwater stream and strengthening connections between the Mount Holyoke Range and Quabbin region. It will add to the 1,050 acre Hop Brook Forest, which was conserved through a partnership of Kestrel Land Trust and The Trustees in 2025. | $128,645 |
| Mass Audubon | Osgood Brook Landscape Connectivity and Conservation | Acquisition of 212 acres in Wendell, serving as a critical landscape connector between Mass Audubon’s Whetstone Woods Wildlife Sanctuary and Wendell and Orange State Forests, strengthening habitat connectivity across a regionally significant conservation corridor. The property contains over 6,600 feet of frontage along Osgood Brook, a cold-water fisheries resource within the Millers River watershed. | $400,000 |
| Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust | Eagleville Barrens | Acquisition of 48 acres in Orange will add to a 200-acre conservation area on Lake Rohunta. Conserving this land will enable the creation of an accessible trail system near the existing DFG boat launch. This project will protect bogs and wooded swamps and 1,900 feet of shoreline, contributing to securing the scenic character and habitat values of the lake and its associated wetland. | $235,450 |
| North County Land Trust | Henshaw Farm Phase 1 | Acquisition of 44 acres in Templeton, part of a larger effort to protect a 114-acre former dairy farm. The land is a mix of woods, wetland, old hay fields, and stream. This land is surface water protection land for the Ware River Watershed, and DCR Water Supply is a partner in this larger effort. Nine acres of fields are prime agricultural soils, and the CR will allow agriculture to continue. | $45,000 |
| North County Land Trust | North Wachusett Forest and Fields | Conservation restriction will protect 82 acres in Westminster, including productive hay fields, wetland and pond, upland forest, and views of Mount Wachusett. | $425,000 |
| North County Land Trust | Wekepeke's Supporting Landscapes | Acquisition of 84 acres in Sterling will support the donation of 41 additional acres and will protect 1,700 feet of Wekepeke Brook, 0.4 miles of trail in the Wekepeke Trail network, and farmland. The parcels are contiguous with Sterling Land Trust and Wekekpeke Conservation Area land. | $300,000 |
| Sudbury Valley Trustees | Three Penny Farm CR | Conservation Restriction on 34 acres in Harvard, including farmland and forest, to be co-held by Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Town of Harvard. | $75,000 |
| The Trustees of Reservations | Cricket Trails CR | Conservation Restriction on 565 acres of key forested landscape in a north-south wildlife corridor in Lanesborough and Hancock, with project partners including Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Shaker Ridge Trails, and NEMBA. The CR will create public access to 30+ miles of free trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and XC-skiing, including 10 miles of adaptive mountain bike trails. | $425,000 |
| Westport Land Conservation Trust | Peaceful Acres Drift Road | Acquisition of 30 acres in Westport, a former farm property which includes the coldwater fishery Kirby Brook, vernal pools, productive wetland, and upland forest. | $285,000 |
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