WESTFIELD- City officials will host a public meeting soliciting feedback from neighborhood residents and
interested parties relative to planned improvements for Cross Street Playground March 12 at 6 p.m. at City Hall in Room 201.
The highlight of the proposed renovation includes the installation of an al-labilities playground with accessible surfacing and a playscape that integrates features to allow for people of all ability levels to play together.
The City has worked with R. Levesque Associates on a plan for the improvements to the park, which currently
houses a small playscape, a baseball diamond, and a grass panel in need of improvement. The plan includes an
accessible path from existing parking on the northern portion of the property to the planned playscape and
pavilion area, which is located on the southern end of the property. Separate from the grant, the City is looking to
improve parking on a parcel under the custody and control of the School Department to supplement parking needs
for the facility.
While most of the improvements will occur on the southern portion of the Cross Street property, the state has
required that a fence separating Cross Street Playground from abutting neighbors be removed to allow for access
to a portion of city property that has historically served as a buffer between neighbors and the playground. Federal
regulation requires the entire Cross Street Playground parcel be accessible to the public.
City officials will work to answer questions from neighbors and provide an update on the project design.
