CPA Funding Sought For Parks Projects

Needham officials hope to take advantage of the state's updated legislation to renovate Greene's Field and add to the Bay Colony Rail Trail.

Just one month after the governor signed legislation updating the state’s Community Preservation Act, Needham officials are ready to take advantage of the changes to help fund two parks projects. The new language allows for towns that have adopted the CPA surcharge to use the funds to renovate and upgrade existing parks and recreational areas, not just build new ones as allowed under the original legislation, which was passed in 2000. The update does exclude purchase of turf fields. Needham has had “several projects in the queue” under the town’s capital plan, but the projects have been set aside in years past as other priorities arose and as officials waited eagerly for the legislative update, Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. …

• Photos (5)

Patch Picks

Needham's Top Parks

This week's Patch Picks explores places to walk, play and just relax around town.

Whether you want to play or watch a game, take a hike, ride a bike, run or walk your dog, there is plenty of green space to enjoy in Needham. For this week’s Patch Picks, we asked: “What is your favorite park in Needham?” Here’s a look at some of your top choices:   1. DeFazio Park   2. Memorial Park   3. Ridge Hill Reservation   4. Cutler Park Reservation   5. Greene’s Field   Want to rave about one of our top five? Did we miss your favorite park? Tell us about it in the comments below or e-mail your addition to Becca.Manning@patch.com. And be sure to rate your top spots in our Places listings.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (7)

What is Your Favorite Park in Needham?

Tell us the top spots around town for this week's Patch Picks.

Each week, Needham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks. As the Fourth of July holiday shows, a great park can make any hometown event that much better. This week, Patch Picks is saluting the baseball diamonds, playgrounds, soccer fields and other parks in Needham. Do you have a walking trail you frequent or an open patch of grass on which you spend time reading? Let us know which park in town is your favorite (and what you like about it) and we’ll feature it in Thursday’s Patch Picks. Because of the holiday, there is not much time to respond this week, so let us know right away! E-mail Becca.…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Great Escape

Escape to the Great Outdoors at Elm Bank

With spring now here, the warmer weather creates the perfect opportunity to escape to the great outdoors.

You work hard, but your to-do list never seems to get any shorter. Now it's time to take a break and enjoy yourself.  It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Elm Bank is the perfect place to spend a day this time of year. Take a walk, see what is in bloom and visit the library. While strolling the grounds, you may even feel inspired to participate in their Earth Day clean up project on April 22 and 23. The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk. Admission is $5 for non-members.

• Photos (1)