Monument Square project moving along

Source: Sentinel and Enterprise
Author: Danielle Ray

LEOMINSTER -- The Monument Square upgrade project is moving along and slated to be completed by the end of June.

Funding for renovation of the downtown spot comes from a $400,000 state PARC grant and $180,000 from the city. Project plans include planting new trees, adding lighting and additional seating, making the entire area handicapped accessible, and restoring the monuments, some of which date back to World War I.

"Everybody loves the common. It is like sacred ground, and it is with all the war memorials," said Mayor Dean Mazzarella. "They probably haven't been touched since they were put up. We are going to clean up and restore them all."

The mayor said all the underground work is done, "which is huge," and next up is putting in the brick pavers and installing lighting.

Mazzarella said the project is long overdue and will be a huge improvement.

"For so many years it was a duck tape it and try and get it to work kind of situation," he said. "The big part is the handicapped accessible work. We were probably somewhat complying, but it wasn't very inviting."

The entire area is currently fenced in so the work can be done safely. Three invasive species trees that were considered a danger were cut down in February and will be replaced with 18 new trees native to Massachusetts, a mix of large shade canopy trees and ornamental and flowering trees.

"Arborists looked at the trees and said we either have to fence them in or take them down," Mazzarella said.

He went on to say that once the project is completed, the often-used area will be much more user-friendly.

"It will be a really nice park when we are done," Mazzarella said. "I am excited because it will lend itself more to community events of all sizes, a small art show or if someone wants to get out there with a guitar. It will be so much more inviting, and convenient to plug in and play."