The Town of Brookline Department of Public Works is pleased to announce that the long-awaited Cypress Field and Playground Renovation Project will begin work next week.
The reimagined Cypress Field and Playground will create an inclusive play area for all ages, a new water play area, renovated natural turf sports field with new drainage and LED sports lighting, a new basketball court with LED sports lighting, a picnic grove, plaza, and pathway improvements, handicapped accessibility improvements, extensive stormwater management infrastructure, expanded areas for seating and gathering, and numerous new plantings.
The project has been part of the Town’s Capital Improvement Program for eight years. Numerous public sessions have been held since 2017 on the project’s vision and design, including neighbors, community leaders, Town Meeting members, parents, High School Athletics, the Recreation Department, daycare providers, and other park users.
Plans for the park have been coordinated closely with the Brookline High School Renovation and Expansion Project and school leadership team.
The Cypress Field and Playground site, along with the Brookline Avenue Playground, was one of the first municipal purchases for playground use in the United States.
Contractors will place a temporary construction fence along Greenough Street, which will allow space for lunch, breaks, and classes and room for four or five tents to be used by Brookline High School students this spring. Additional seating and break spaces will be provided for students in the Quad and greenspace pockets along Welland Road.
“Given directives from the state about a return to in-person schooling, accommodations are being made for students and staff at BHS to provide outdoor space for lunch, classes, and taking breaks,” Interim School Superintendent V. James Marini said.
The Town and School Department considered numerous factors in the decision to proceed. The project had been delayed once due to funding and is currently under contract with Heimlich Landscaping and Construction. All of the projects at the High School campus need to be coordinated. Further delays to the Cypress Field/Playground project would have led to additional costs, coordination and delay impacts to the Town and School Department.
The project is expected to be complete by September 2022. All school and athletic activities that use the park, including Brookline High School graduation, will be relocated until September 2022.
“We understand that this project will be disruptive to learning, neighbors, programming, and park use in the short term. The long-term benefits, however, will be substantial,” Public Works Commissioner Erin Gallentine said. “Many of you have waited a long time for this project, and we appreciate your patience.”
Residents may follow construction progress here. Residents also may sign up for email alerts to receive project updates.
Residents with questions or comments about the Cypress Field / Playground Project may contact Scott Landgren, Landscape Architect, at slandgren@brooklinema.gov.
Residents with questions or comments about the Brookline High School Construction Project may contact Ray Masak, Building Project Manager, at rmasak@brooklinema.gov.
Residents with questions or comments about Brookline High School programming and scheduling may contact Anthony Meyer at anthony_meyer@psbma.org or Hal Mason at hal_mason@psbma.org.
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