Arsenal Park Master Plan Update

Phase B Project Updates - 2024

  • Construction of Phase B is scheduled to begin on Monday April 22, 2024. For the duration of the project, Spring 2024 to Spring 2025, the entirety of the work area will be closed to the public. The easternmost section of the park, Phase A, will be open to the public during construction. As part of the project the park facilities will be upgraded, and new walkways installed.
  • Updated Plans: Arsenal Park Improvements Phase B Drawings (PDF) 

Phase B Project Updates - 2023 

  • January 2022 Updated Plans: Arsenal Park City Council Presentation (PDF) – the project teams provided an updated status and presentation to the City Council, with an overview of the first phase completion and an update on the second phase. The presentation included a schedule for when the project would go to bid and be constructed that should be updated to reflect an August/September, 2023 start date for construction.
  • Phase B Anticipated Schedule – Anticipated start September 2023 with an 8+ month construction period

Ongoing Design Progress on Phase B

Phase A Construction Underway

Construction of Phase A, the easternmost section of the park, began in late spring 2020. Final installations and plantings will occur in spring 2021.

Conservation Commission Design Approval & 25% Design

  • October and December 2017 - Commission discussion and recommendation for Arsenal Park Master Plan to move forward to 25% design
  • March 2018 Conservation Commission Conceptual Design Plan (PDF) to be used for 25% designs (design meetings held in December 2018 and January 2019)
  • February 2019 Conservation Commission design review and approval to move forward to City Council:
  • Approved Arsenal Park Design Plan (PDF) (as of July 9, 2019)

Community Noticing & Online Surveys (2017)

Design Public Meetings (2017)

Community Meeting Number Two

  • Options for Design and Enhancements Held October 11, 2017
  • Held on Wednesday, October 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Commander's Mansion - 440 Talcott Avenue
  • Next Step - Finalize the Master Plan update at the Conservation Commission

Content for Community Meeting Number One

  • Held August 15, 2017
  • When: Tuesday, August 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Where: Watertown Library - Watertown Savings Bank Room
  • Survey Results: Arsenal Survey Number 1 (PDF) (Closed)
  • Meeting Documents (PDF): Explore the presentation, breakout meeting summary, and look at the breakout sessions map exercise with comments received
  • Within the folder, there is a link to the online comments (PDF) received through August 31
  • Presentation: Meeting Presentation (PDF) with Breakout summary report out
  • Summary of report out of Breakout Session: Think holistically (50 years) Protect forested areas soundproof amphitheater Tennis back board covered and more picnic tables added stormwater mitigation Keep current with needs Perimeter path in cinder or wood chips Mounding area near tennis courts for passive Reforest amphitheater since it doesn't work Add or relocate bathroom and playground Signage to get to park and parking is not enough Enhance east side (need activity and access) Lights - tennis and other areas for safety Remove couple of tennis courts for 6-year-olds Fountain and flower garden Connections to river Safety for walking at night New pool and constraints are not real Enclose tennis courts and provide viewing area East west and north south access ways through park Regular maintenance (sidewalks, picnic table, etc.) Splash pad should be enhanced expanded for visual interest More covered spaces More benches Bike racks throughout the park Bike path access needs to be thoughtfully designed Look at commander mansion and arsenal park together Add a tot lot near the eastern end entrance level/fix sports field

Background

The Watertown Department of Community Development and Planning is holding community meetings to discuss Arsenal Park and the potential for design/redesign of some areas within the park. Anyone interested in learning more about Arsenal Park and in sharing ideas about how the park should be designed and used is encouraged to participate in the process. Of particular interest is the design of the eastern section of the park which includes the existing courts and open space adjacent to the Arsenal Yards and connectivity into and through the park.

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Resources