Update on Lower Atkinson project

As coverage and commentary picks up in the Daily News, I want to share some thoughts on the project being proposed at Lower Atkinson Common.  

Background: 

Public discussion of the master plan for the lower portion of this jewel of a park which features beautiful walking paths, fountains, memorials, a gazebo, a depression-era stone tower, newly updated tennis courts, and parking on the upper Atkinson Common goes back many years.

Primarily used by the Pioneer League and neighboring Community Action school, the Lower Atkinson park contains three baseball fields, a basketball court, a playground, a small clubhouse/snack shack, and a storage shed. Of significant concern to residents and park-goers has been angled parking directly on Merrimac Street which causes traffic and safety issues due to limited visibility for kids and families accessing the park and drivers along the busy street.

Discussion of the current plan dates to as early as 2018 as a part of the overall effort to improve safety along Merrimac Street. A master plan was created in 2020 by the Parks Commission. More recently in 2021, the City created a Safety Zone in this area which lowered speed limits on Merrimac St and, as part of the effort to repave and also mitigate traffic and speeds along Plummer Avenue the situation at Lower Atkinson was considered as a key contributor to the problem. The solution was to eliminate the angled parking by enclosing a number of those in a street-adjacent lot and to introduce more off-street parking spaces in a gravel lot behind Founders Field. This would allow not only safer conditions along Merrimac St, but also enable better designed flow of traffic to and from games and tournaments.

Of note, the City's first fully accessible playground will be introduced to the site this Fall which will make way for work to begin on moving the current angled on-street parking to the safer street-adjacent lot and new sidewalk. 

Current status: 

In order to expand the existing gravel lot to increase availability of off-street parking and properly design drainage from upper areas of the park and baseball fields, the City is working to obtain the necessary waivers and approvals from various boards and commissions.

Specifically, the purpose of yesterday's site walk was to allow the Conservation Commission to review things up close as they weigh an application for a waiver which would allow the current design to avoid a requirement to plant trees in the proposed new gravel lot. An enclosed wetland also received special consideration as the current plan calls for its relocation and enhancement to better mitigate stormwater drainage and introduction of native plant species.

The main focus of media coverage of this project lately has centered around the removal of approximately 22 trees, of which many if not all will be replaced in various locations around the park. Trees identified for removal in order to create the larger gravel lot and wetlands area are mostly non-native and/or invasive species and will be replaced with more environmentally appropriate ones. Additionally overgrown Arborvitae along Merrimac Street would be replaced, although discussion is still underway regarding whether these might be shade trees or a combination. 

Yesterday's Conservation Commission meeting was one of several upcoming opportunities for members of the public to learn more about the plans and ask questions of city officials and other stakeholders:

“We’re using this opportunity to take the public who are interested in learning more about the project around the area where they can voice any concerns while seeing the site and hearing how folks are thinking it through,” Chief of Staff Andrew Levine said. “It should be a good opportunity to learn more and get some good feedback on this.”

Future meetings will involve the Planning Board, City Council committee(s), and ultimately a vote of the City Council among other activities. Once all the necessary checks and approvals are in place, the City will put the project out to bid to determine the actual cost. The current estimated cost of about $570,000 is expected to be funded through the American Rescue Plan and the project is anticipated to take less than a year to complete.  

My take: 

Below is the full text of my August 28th statement to the Daily News upon their request for comment. 

I have read through the project plan, gathered input from Ward 4 Councilor, Christine Wallace, members of the Planning Board, and met with residents along Plummer Ave as well as the President of the Pioneer League to better understand the implications of the changes proposed at Lower Atkinson. 

With any project like this, the City should be engaging transparently with everyone involved to hear and respond to their concerns in productive, appropriate ways. We are in the midst of that process.  

Based on what we know today, I want to be sure we prioritize public safety for kids and families from Newburyport and neighboring communities, while ensuring minimal disruption to abutters and the environment. I hate to see us lose mature trees, so let’s be sure to measure twice and cut once - only where absolutely necessary. The most recent plans I’ve reviewed include replacing any trees removed. 

I have a meeting with a representative from the Mayor’s office today, August 28th, and will attend the site walk-through tomorrow, August 29th, to hear more specifics from officials and the public. For anyone who’s unable to attend the public meeting tomorrow, please reach out at benharman.org for more information. 

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns at nbpt.ward4@gmail.com.