ArtFarm

The City is actively applying for grants to fund the construction of ArtFarm, including an application to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). A grant from the CPC would fund a large portion of ArtFarm construction, if awarded.

On July 22nd, 2026, at 6:30pm the CPC will hear a presentation from staff about ArtFarm. Committee members will ask questions and will listen to comments from members of the public.

We invite community members to show their support! This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-7FfxWtKTzieOdaD6mBSdQ

Anyone can submit a comment online in support of the project here before September 15th:
https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/261886491370870

Thanks for supporting this effort to build a new park in Somerville!

Wondering what is going on with ArtFarm? Staff are hard at work behind the scenes on two primary things: completing the design drawings and funding.

Staff have been looking closely at a 90% complete design package. They are checking out every tiny detail from the lights to signage to trash cans. We have to be sure that the design is functional, buildable, and meets the community's needs. Part of this work includes talking with other City departments like the Department of Public Works and Arts & Culture. It also involves assessing the cost of the design to make sure it meets our budget.

We still estimate construction will begin in 2027, but a few things need to happen before then:

1) We need to secure funding!

We can't build a park without funds. Staff are actively applying for State, Federal, and local grants to make this community dream a reality.

2) We have to go "out to bid."

For park construction projects, we hire contractors who know how to build parks. When we put a project "out to bid," we give contractors a chance to say they would like the job and how much it would cost. This is a competitive process and we choose the lowest qualified bidder. We expect to hire a landscaping contractor in the winter of 2026-27.

3) We have to wait for the Poplar Street Pump Station work.

The 10 Poplar site is under active construction. So we can't start building the park until the area around the pump station is not being worked on. Otherwise, anything we build would be damaged before it was opened. Staff estimate that park construction will begin in mid-2027.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the February 9th community meeting. It was a great turnout and the feedback shared by community members was extremely valuable.

You can find the presentation slides on this project page under documents (here). The video recording is on this page under videos (here).

If we ran out of time before you asked your question or you weren't able to attend the meeting, please reach out! You can email the project contact directly or submit your note in the Questions & Comments tab. We look forward to hearing from you and we'll respond as fast as we can.

Join City staff, landscape designers, and Somerville community members for a project update on ArtFarm!

When: February 9th from 6:00-7:30pm
When: Triangle Coffee Bar at 100 Chestnut St., Somerville, MA
**Snacks will be provided

Some of you might have been following this project for years. You may have already attended a public meeting or weighed in on the park vision in the past! Come to this meeting to see design updates and to hear the latest about the project timeline.

Some of you might be new to this project! Welcome, we're happy to have you here. Attend the meeting to learn some project history and information about the park's key design features.

Access Notes

If you can't join us in person, you can tune in online through Zoom. Register to receive the Zoom link here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xfae4I_ZTPORm80lsSiREw

Persons with disabilities who need ADA accommodations to access this program, please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days before the event.

All are welcome. We hope to see you there!

ArtFarm is the name of a park envisioned by community members and City staff in the Brickbottom neighborhood. The park will be constructed at 10 Poplar Street and is intended to be a commons where visitors can come together around the arts, growing food, and recreation.

The design has evolved a lot over the years. The first design was drafted in 2014! While the spirit of the project remains the same, many factors have resulted in changes to the design. The biggest shift came when the City identified the site as an appropriate location for the Poplar Street Pump Station. That critical infrastructure will reduce flooding across Wards 2 and 3 and the park will share the site when it is complete. Take a look back at past community meeting documentation to learn more.

The future park will welcome visitors to the Brickbottom neighborhood and invite them to stay for art events and installations of all kinds. It is still intended to be a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to experience community and the arts—a destination for Somerville residents and the greater Boston area.