Tower Hill Waterfront
The Tower Hill Waterfront project will transform a 12-acre city-owned site into a vibrant, community-centered destination along the Merrimack River. At its core is a new multi-use path between Doyle Street and Bay State Road, providing residents a safe, off-road route for walking and cycling.
The path will open up improved access to the Merrimack River waterfront and eventually connect to the Lawrence Manchester Rail Trail near Broadway — currently under construction and anticipated to open in 2028.
Beyond the path, the project will weave community priorities into a newly designed park, incorporating landscaping and tree planting, stormwater drainage, lighting, seating, and other amenities shaped through the public planning process. The project area spans the corridor between the solar panels near the Lawrence water treatment plant, Water Street, the Merrimack waterfront, and Broadway.
We want to hear from you. Use the button below to share your ideas and help shape the future of the Tower Hill Waterfront.
Project map
Project vision
The Tower Hill Waterfront project will create a new community corridor park — an accessible, welcoming green space that connects the Tower Hill neighborhood to the Merrimack River waterfront and the Lawrence Manchester Rail Trail.
The park will be designed for people of all ages and abilities, offering a safe and comfortable route for walking, bicycling, and rolling. The landscape will be ecologically restored and naturally resilient, with native plantings selected to support local habitat, improve stormwater management, and create a living, green corridor along the waterfront.
The design will look beyond the immediate site, considering future connections to nearby destinations and neighborhoods, while providing amenities that invite people both to move through and to linger — a calm, natural setting in the heart of the city.
We encourage you to share your feedback on this draft vision using the button below.
What is a project vision?
A vision is a broad statement about the goals of a project. Project goals are general statements about what path users and neighbors hope to achieve with the completed multi-use path project.
How did we craft the project vision?
During the development of the last two open space and recreation plans we received hundreds survey responses, comments at in-person events, and additional feedback during remote meetings. This feedback focused on the development of walking paths and the creation of waterfront parks.
The latest
Site Walks
Public meetings
May 6 at 6:00pm
May 30 at 2:00pm
June 20 at 2:00pm
Location: TBD
Past events
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