Spicket River Greenway
The Spicket River Greenway is a 3.5 mile long “emerald bracelet” of green spaces and walking paths connecting parks and open space through multiple neighborhoods, meeting multiple bottom lines by working with the community to achieve the dual goals of riverfront restoration and neighborhood revitalization.
In addition, GWL organizes restoration, cleanup, enforcement, education and advocacy activities to foster community support for the maintenance of the greenway.
The Spicket River Greenway is a truly transformative project that has created numerous benefits for the residents, visitors and business in the city, such as:
- river restoration
- revitalization of neighborhoods
- linkages between neighborhoods, schools and parks
- increased recreational opportunities
- an improved environment for economic development, jobs and housing
- improved access to the commuter rail station
- connection to health care
- brownfield clean-up and redevelopment
Spicket River Greenway Projects
More Details about the Spicket River Greenway
The Greenway, envisioned by residents over 15 years ago, came to fruition through a multi-year collaborative effort that included GWL, local, state, and Federal government, numerous community organizations, and a diverse group of stakeholders that over the years have: participated in the 2002 Urban RiverVisions planning and charrette sessions; advocated for enforcement efforts against illegal dumping with the Spicket River Task Force and the Clean Spicket Campaign; and championed reclamation of the river with direct action, including the thousands of residents who have cleared over 150 tons of debris and thousands of tires from the Spicket River’s banks over the course of annual Cleanups that started in 2002. Ten anchor sites along the Greenway have been rehabilitated or built: Dr. Nina Scarito Park, Misserville Skate Park, William Kennedy Playstead, Manchester Street Park, Immigrant Place park, Hayden Schofield Playstead, the Spray Park, Facella, Oxford paper site and the Ferrous site. For it’s impact, the Greenway received an honorable mention for the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2013 Livability Award.
Green Team’s Involvement with the Spicket River Greenway:
Background Information and News Coverage:
- Spicket River Greenway Opens to the Public (Boston Globe 8/11/2013)
- The Spicket River Greenway Officially Opens (Rumbo 8/1/2013)
- Kudos and Thanks to the Many Who Make a Difference (Eagle Tribune Editorial 6/8/2013)
- Spicket River Greenway Opens Today (Eagle Tribune 6/3/2013)
- Public Meeting to Discuss New Park on the Spicket River Greenway (Eagle Tribune 4/12/2013)
- Getting to the Greenway: A Walking Assessment for WalkBoston and Groundwork Lawrence, prepared by Mariko Davidson and Jocelyn Drummond MCP, DUSP, MIT (January 31, 2012)
- Lawrence Receives $2.6 Million for Spicket River Trail System (Eagle Tribune 8/8/2010)
- Spicket River Greenway Plan Afoot (Eagle Tribune 4/25/2001)
- EPA Brownfields Success Story-Spicket River Greenway
- Spicket River Greenway Overview Graphic
- Spicket River Greenway Design Guidelines
For more information about the project, call (978) 974-0770 or email Brad, Project Director at Groundwork Lawrence.
