On Wednesday September 16, we were pleased to celebrate the opening of the park, complete with a playground, swings, a pond overlook and 30 community garden beds. Speakers representing many of the funders and park activists were represented including The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, EPA Brownfields Program, Community Development Block Grant Program (HUD), the City of Lawrence, Lawrence Environmental Action League, Covanta Energy, neighborhood residents and Groundwork Lawrence.

About The Park

Manchester Street Park (the former Covanta site) is one of Lawrence's hidden gems-- a linear 5-acre parcel of land situated in the northwest corner of the city and bordering Stevens Pond at the head of Lawrence's stretch of the Spicket River. Like many industrial sites in Lawrence, the area suffered from a history of contamination (the site at one time housed a municipal trash incinerator) that has long posed challenges to its redevelopment. At the same time, the site offers great new green space and serves as a spectacular anchor for the Spicket River Greenway.

Design and Construction Updates- read more...

• Photos of the construction and finished park
• EPA Brownfields Project Summary
• Final Plans-select layout sheets
• Rumbo Article - EPA Brownfields Funds in Lawrence
• Eagle Tribune story - EPA awards clean-up funds
• Eagle Tribune story - Urban Self Help grant award
• Draft plans
• Draft Alternatives and Remedial Implementation Plan - October 2008
• Presentation of Alternatives Analysis for Soil Management-October 29, 2008