WALTHAM — A new city park and playground has become so popular that city officials have had to impose parking restrictions and reservations on weekends and holidays.
The park, known simply as 200 Trapelo Road, can only be accessed on weekends or holidays by making reservations online for use of its parking lot. Visitors can select a two-hour time slot, during which they can enjoy all of the park's amenities, including a universal playground, splash pad and mini-golf course.
There is no charge to visit the park.
“We knew it would be popular amongst the disability community, for whom it was really built for, but we definitely didn’t anticipate folks outside of Waltham would flock to it,” said Ward 3 City Councilor Bill Hanley, who lives in and represents a nearby neighborhood. “We had some people there from North Carolina last weekend. We built tons of parking, but it still isn’t enough.”
The 100 parking spaces at the park fill quickly on weekends. Neighbors have had issues with the additional traffic and people parking in front of their homes. Many of those living near the park have put up “no parking” signs and barricades on their property.
Two weeks ago, the city implemented the parking restrictions.
“It was a rough start, but it’s made a huge improvement,” Hanley said.
Park's opening comes 11 years after city purchased property
The park area comprises about 200 acres on the site of the former Walter E. Fernald Development Center, a state-owned school for developmentally disabled students that dated back to the late 1800s. When the school closed in 2014, the city bought the property, which included several abandoned buildings.
“We restored wetlands, we had to do a lot of water management,” Hanley said. “Some of the old buildings will be rehabbed. One will be for veterans’ housing, another will be an adult day care, and there will be housing for disabled adults over 23. It’s kind of a dedication to the people the area was created for.”
A 50-acre section of the park that once held residential cottages is now a nature zone. Visitors can enjoy walks through its scenic setting.
“The cottages were built atop of wetlands and caused a lot of flooding,” Hanley said. “Taxpayers paid to have the cottages torn down and to have the wetlands restored. Engineers discovered a freshwater pond. This is something I’m proud of.”
The memorial grounds are also very well done — serene and quiet compared to the playground, with a dedicated Braille walk as well, he added.
City councilor says pickleball courts, theater still to come
When the park was being planned, Hanley said city officials "kind of got beat up for having too much parking and for not making it more bike- and pedestrian-friendly, but we’re working on it.”
It’s a 20-year project and we’re only five years in, he continued.
“We’re going to add athletic fields, pickleball courts, basketball courts and a theater and arts area," Hanley said. "Parking will come with both those areas. It’s still a work in progress.”
The park is all-inclusive so everyone can have fun.
“Where else can a kid that is restricted to a wheelchair ride on the swings?” Hanley said.