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149 West Boylston Drive Update
Tonight, the Worcester Conservation Commission will review plans to clean up the property at 149 West Boylston Drive. This 4 acre property is owned by the state. The City of Worcester has a long term lease on the property which allows the City to use the site with some restrictions.
Many of you may remember the master planning meetings several years back in which residents were able to provide input as to what they envision for the beach at the end of Clason Road, Morgan Park, Shore Park and 149 West Boylston Drive. At that time, residents, many of whom attended all 4 public meetings, were overwhelmingly concerned about bringing another public space online before plans began to move forward at the 3 other sites which sorely needed upgrades and accessibility enhancements. Thus the master planning for 149 West Boylston Drive was put on hold.
While we await news on further investment in these neighborhood assets, it is important to note the positive results of the completed phase 1 improvements at Shore Park and the efforts the Worcester Police have made in addressing illegal activities at the Clason Road beach. While still considered temporary, the Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks collaborated with the state to replace the Morgan Park boat ramp which had fallen into such disrepair, it was in danger of being closed altogether (note that the boat ramp is falls under the state).
Recently, state monies were secured to remove the brush and overgrowth that has accumulated on the 149 West Boylston Drive parcel, the majority of which appear to be invasive species, and install meadow grass. It is our understanding that this will not open this parcel for public use and it will not take the place of the master planning process that will involve neighborhood input at a later date, after improvements at all the above mentioned properties begin to move forward.
The Notice of Intent will be heard by the Conservation Commission tonight (May 18th) at their 6 pm meeting. You can view the live video feed on the city's video on-demand webpage:
City of Worcester Video On Demand and
local cable access channel (Spectrum channel 192).
Immediate abutters have been notified.
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