Funding is included as part of $2.4 billion environmental bond bill
Memorial Park
Reading’s legislative delegation has successfully secured a $950,000 funding earmark for five local parks as part of a $2.4 billion environmental bond bill that was recently signed into law.
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Representative James J. Dwyer (D-Woburn) and Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) noted that the money will be used for improvements to Hunt Park, Memorial Park, Washington Park, Symonds Way and Sturges Park.
“This funding will allow the town to carry out important upgrades at all five parks, which collectively offer a variety of recreational opportunities that Reading residents of all ages can enjoy,” said Representative Jones.
“I am proud of our delegation for securing these necessary funds to ensure Reading remains committed to its open spaces and green areas,” said Representative Dwyer. “The parks in the town of Reading are an essential aspect of the community and they benefit all residents.”
“Our parks are valuable community resources for people of all ages, abilities, and interests,” said Senator Lewis. “It’s essential to continue to invest in our parks and open space, and the funding secured in this legislation will go a long way to make Reading’s parks more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
The environmental bond bill was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker on August 9 as Chapter 209 of the Acts of 2018. The bill authorizes funding for a variety of local and statewide environmental initiatives, including wetlands protection, climate change, coastal resiliency efforts, dam improvements, and the preservation of state-owned forests, parks, campgrounds and reservations across the Commonwealth.
Because the funding is included as part of a bond authorization, there is no firm timeline for when Reading will actually receive the money. It must first be approved for release by the Baker-Polito Administration and then worked under the state’s annual borrowing cap, which was recently set at $2.34 billion for Fiscal Year 2019.
Representative Jones, Representative Dwyer, and Senator Lewis have pledged to continue to work together on the town’s behalf to help facilitate the timely release of the bond funding.
