Project Overview

The Whittemore Park Revitalization Project will transform the small green space at the corner of Mass Ave and Mystic St into a focal point for recreation and civic functions, as well as a place to appreciate Arlington’s cultural heritage. The planning process for the park, which concluded in August 2018, resulted in a design that will lead to physical improvements in the park. Construction on Phase 1 of the project is now complete, with Phase 2 construction to take place in the spring of 2022. View the Whittemore Park Revitalization Project plan here.

Phase 2 Design and Construction

Construction for Phase 2 of the Whittemore Park Revitalization Project will commence on April 25, 2022.  The Town has contracted with general contractor, Bautista Masonry, to address accessibility improvements to the path between Mystic Street and the Jefferson Cutter House. The existing side gardens will be removed and replaced by new gardens, including a new granite retaining wall and wooden board fence along Mystic Street. Additional improvements will be made to the stairs leading to Old Mystic Street and those leading to the Russell Common Parking Lot.

Phase 2 construction is anticipated to complete in early July. Combined with the Phase 1 work completed in the summer of 2021, the project will complete the transformation of the open space at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Mystic Street into a focal point for recreation and civic functions, as well as a place to appreciate Arlington’s cultural heritage.

Crowley Cottrell, LLC was hired by the Town to develop recommendations and design plans for the park. Through separate procurement processes, the firm was selected to develop construction documents and administer construction on Phase 1 and Phase 2. The firm is a Boston-based, certified women-owned business enterprise. They are also LEED AP. The firm’s practitioners bring decades of design and construction experience on parks and historic properties to Arlington.

Bautista Masonry, Inc. was hired to complete the construction of Phase 2 through a competitive bid process in the spring of 2022. The Waltham-based firm specializes in masonry and landscape construction services, and has extensive experience working with municipalities in Massachusetts. 

Phase 2 Final Bid Documents
April 21, 2022 Abutter Notice 

Phase 1 Design and Construction

Phase 1 consisted of renovations to the portion of the park in front of the Jefferson Cutter House, including the creation of a circuit path, removal of trees and new planting, renovations to the rail corridor, and improvements to the central lawn. Crowley Cottrell, LLC was selected to develop construction documents and provide construction administration for this phase. Construction on phase 1 began in June, 2021 and was completed in September, 2021.

Final Phase 1 construction documents
Feb. 9, 2021 Abutter Notice

Project Background

The Whittemore Park Revitalization Project is being guided by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) with input from a working group composed of representatives from the Historical Commission, Historic Districts Commission, Dallin Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Cutter Gallery, and property and business owners in Arlington Center.

Crowley Cottrell, LLC was hired by the Town to develop recommendations and design plans for the park. Through a separate procurement process, the firm was selected to develop construction documents and administer construction on Phases 1 and 2. The firm is a Boston-based, certified women-owned business enterprise, with professional landscape architecture licenses in MA, NY, and VT. They are also LEED AP. The firm’s practitioners bring decades of design and construction experience to Arlington. Their project experience is broad, including parks, campuses, historic properties, and residences.

The Whittemore Park Planning Project is supported by Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. Phase 1 is funded through CPA funds and the Town of Arlington. Phase 2 is funded through the Town of Arlington and the Community Development Block Grant program.

For more information about this project, please contact  Kelly Lynema, Assistant Director, Department of Planning and Community Development at (781) 316-3096 or klynema@town.arlington.ma.us.