Gifford Park Renovation: A Community Effort

I'm a Rochester, MA resident of 5 years and was a Candidate for the Rochester Park Commission in the May 2024 election. Gifford Park is important to me and I want to raise money so that it can reach its full potential.

At the October 30th Parks Commission meeting, other residents and I emphasized the importance of creating a comprehensive plan for the park, rather than focusing solely on the playground. If we’re going to relocate the playground, let’s ensure it’s in the ideal location and also evaluate parking and traffic flow design before breaking ground. I have concerns about the proposed playground location and its proximity to the Field 6 backstop. A design plan would illustrate the options for playground placement and the pros and cons of each spot.

I’ve communicated with the Wildlands Trust (abutters of the park), and they are very interested in collaborating with the town of Rochester. There is potential for a mutually beneficial project. The Trust’s land could be utilized to improve traffic flow for parking and increase visibility to the trail.

I reached out to a design firm experienced in park design and received a quote for providing a conceptual layout of the park. This layout would include additional parking, the location of a future bathhouse and associated septic field, coordination with a playground consultant on locating the proposed playground, and coordination with Wildlands Trust, Inc. for trail access. This conceptual design would be used for presentations to town officials, the park commission, ORYB, residents, and potential donors.

The quote is $3,000. I’ve set up a GoFundMe with a goal of $3,500. If we exceed this goal, the additional funds will be used for further design work and/or implementing the Gifford Park improvements.

Thank you for your support!