BEVERLY — This summer a number of upgrades are planned for the city's parks and beaches, including a new pavilion at Obear Park and a new play structure at Dane Street Beach.
Lynch Park and Dane Street Beach are also getting new pathways that comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, and visitors to the park next to City Hall can borrow outdoor games to play — like bocce — according to Mayor Michael Cahill.
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A portion of the funding for these projects comes from the city's Community Preservation Act money — a surcharge on property taxes that goes into a fund specifically for historic preservation, housing and other community initiatives.
For example, CPA money — about $47,000 — paid for the Obear Park pavilion, said Bruce Doig, the city's parks and recreation director. The new 20-by-40-foot pavilion is designed to sit within 15 feet of the parking lot.
"We decided on a spot up near the parking lot so it would be more handicapped-accessible," Doig said.
Private contractors will do most of the work, he said, noting the city's Department of Public Services has many other projects and tasks on its plate.
At Dane Street Beach, a wooden play structure was taken out a few years ago. It "was getting very dangerous," explained Doig. Currently there's a swingset and a few things for kids to climb and play on, he said.
Once complete, the new play structure, however, will include traditional swings along with an ADA-compliant one, infant swings, and a swing that allows an adult and child to ride together. There will also be concrete climbing structures in the shapes of a mermaid, turtle and a boat, according to Doig.
The total cost was roughly $200,000. Doig said $60,000 came from the CPA, $20,000 from the Lynch Park Trustees, and $50,000 from the Parks and Recreation Department. The remaining $70,000 comes from fundraising.
Josie and Richard Marino, owners of the Chianti restaurant, worked on the fundraising efforts, according to Doig. The Friends of Dane Street Playground has also been active in those efforts.
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