Joppa Park Improvement Project
Phase I Enhancements Completed
Initial enhancements completed in spring of 2012, funded by the Mayor Gayden W. Morrill Charitable Foundation, included installation of a granite bollard-and-chain fence accompanied by a rose hedge along Water Street with four cobblestone pedestrian entry points leading from the Water Street sidewalk into the park. This granite-and-chain fence is aesthetically appealing, adds visual consistency with nearby Hale Park and also serves a practical purpose of protecting the park from vehicle entry and snowplows in the winter. The existing concrete planters, which many considered an eyesore, were removed.
Next Phase Enhancements
The badly damaged and dangerous asphalt walkway along the sea wall will be replaced with sand colored concrete. The walkway, which is prone to sinkholes as a result of tidal activity that draws out subsurface material, will be fortified beneath its subsurface to remove the threat of future sinkholes. The Newburyport Parks Commission plans to replace the lawn with low-maintenance turf-grass and add new plantings. The parking area will be reconfigured to be more aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian friendly. The renovations also include replacing the old, warped benches with new handicapped-accessible benches. Two new water fountains (handicapped accessible), one on either end of this long, narrow park will be installed. There will be additional access to water in these two areas for maintenance of the park. High quality interpretive panels that bring to life the history and wildlife of Joppa are in the design phase and are expected to be installed in summer of 2013. There is interest in making this park a stop on Newburyport’s historic tours and the walking tour. Visitors and residents will be able to learn about the lives of past residents and their strong ties to the Merrimack River. A concurrent project to replace the aging boat ramp and reconfigure the parking lot to make it more pedestrian friendly is being funded by the state Department of Fish and Game through the Wollop-Breaux reimbursement program.
The city expects to begin work on a portion of these enhancements in spring 2014 based on available funding.
Initial enhancements completed in spring of 2012, funded by the Mayor Gayden W. Morrill Charitable Foundation, included installation of a granite bollard-and-chain fence accompanied by a rose hedge along Water Street with four cobblestone pedestrian entry points leading from the Water Street sidewalk into the park. This granite-and-chain fence is aesthetically appealing, adds visual consistency with nearby Hale Park and also serves a practical purpose of protecting the park from vehicle entry and snowplows in the winter. The existing concrete planters, which many considered an eyesore, were removed.
Next Phase Enhancements
The badly damaged and dangerous asphalt walkway along the sea wall will be replaced with sand colored concrete. The walkway, which is prone to sinkholes as a result of tidal activity that draws out subsurface material, will be fortified beneath its subsurface to remove the threat of future sinkholes. The Newburyport Parks Commission plans to replace the lawn with low-maintenance turf-grass and add new plantings. The parking area will be reconfigured to be more aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian friendly. The renovations also include replacing the old, warped benches with new handicapped-accessible benches. Two new water fountains (handicapped accessible), one on either end of this long, narrow park will be installed. There will be additional access to water in these two areas for maintenance of the park. High quality interpretive panels that bring to life the history and wildlife of Joppa are in the design phase and are expected to be installed in summer of 2013. There is interest in making this park a stop on Newburyport’s historic tours and the walking tour. Visitors and residents will be able to learn about the lives of past residents and their strong ties to the Merrimack River. A concurrent project to replace the aging boat ramp and reconfigure the parking lot to make it more pedestrian friendly is being funded by the state Department of Fish and Game through the Wollop-Breaux reimbursement program.
The city expects to begin work on a portion of these enhancements in spring 2014 based on available funding.
Funding
The project was awarded $20,000 in Community Preservation Act funding for Fiscal Year 2014 and an award of $17,080 from The Mayor Gayden W. Morill Charitable Foundation in 2014.