The official opening of the Salvatore A. Balsamo, Millennium Park
on
Monday, June 6th, 5:30 pm (In case of rain postponed to the 7th).
On The grounds of City Hall, Homer Street Side
For further info please call 796-1540
Park Highlights
Prior to construction, the south side of City Hall grounds was an unused vacant area consisting of grass and some pathways. The creation of Millenium Park has contributed a number of attributes to City Hall grounds, including:
238 new plantings including 18 trees and 220 shrubs
5000 square feet of new and upgraded pathways
1300 inscribed commemorative bricks
16 new pieces of site furniture including 13 benches and stools, and 3 tables
Completely new irrigation system
Improved site accessibility and functionality
The Time Capsule Project To mark the entry into the new millennium the artists of the Claflin School studios joined in a project to prepare a time capsule that would be sealed for 100 years. The project when completed was presented to the City for burial at a site within the new park by Keith Cohen and Roberta Paul. It was installed in the fall of 2004 and its contents are registered with the Newton History Museum.
Architects designed a space where families and friends can gather to relax and enjoy a serene setting. This park, between Newton City Hall and the Newton Free Library, will be a central point for bringing the community together.
In mid-September, Mayor David. B. Cohen awarded a contract to F.C. Construction Company of Westport, Massachusetts to construct the Salvatore A. Balsamo Millennium Park on the grounds of Newton City Hall.
This park was the vision of a group of dedicated residents, members of the Newton2000 Committee, who wanted to celebrate the new millennium by creating a gift for the people of Newton. Chaired by Rusty Thompson, a committee of citizens along with architects Edmund Chang of Chang+Sylligardos Architects designed a space where families and friends can gather to relax and enjoy a serene setting. This park, between Newton City Hall and the Newton Free Library, will be a central point for bringing the community together. For the past two years, residents have been able to purchase bricks which have been inscribed with tributes and memorials to family, friends and special events in their lives.
Parks and Recreation Department Commissioner Fran Towle, is overseeing the construction of the park with the assistance of Marc Welch, serving as Project Manager, Carol Stapleton, Site Manager, Carol Schein, Project Consultant and Jim Devoy of the Engineering Department as Site Engineer.
Phase One was completed in the fall of 2003.
Phase two began in April of
2004 and the project will be completed by June 30th. During
Phase two,
the irrigation system will be installed and the planting
of new trees and
new shrubs will also be completed. The brick pathway with
the inscribed
bricks will be completed and the park furniture will be installed.
A formal dedication will take place sometime in September of 2004. Please
call 796-1595 for further information.
