Somerville Junction Park

Update: Paving of the newly built path was completed on 6/7 and the path between Lowell Street and Central Street reopened. Work will continue on the southern portion of the park site.

The entrance to the path at Centre Street/Woodbine Street will remain closed through the next phase of construction.

Thank you for your patience during the temporary closure.

Beginning Monday, June 3 or soon after, people walking, wheeling, or cycling on the Community Path between Lowell Street and Central Street will be detoured around the new Somerville Junction Park site.

This temporary detour (approximately 1 week, weather permitting) will enable City Contractors to pave the newly built path and loam/seed green space along the northern half of the park. Following paving, the new path will be opened to the public and work on the park will transition to the southern half of the park where the temporary community path currently sits.

24/7 Pedestrian and Cyclist Detours

Pedestrian detours

• Eastbound (toward Union Square) - Using the existing ramp to exit the path, people walking or wheeling eastbound will be directed south on Lowell Street, east on Albion Street, and north on Central Street to reconnect with the path.

• Westbound (toward Davis Square) - People walking or wheeling westbound will be directed south on Central Street, west on Albion Street, and north on Lowell Street before returning to the path via the existing ramp.

Cyclist detours

• Eastbound (toward Union Square) - Using the existing ramp to exit the path, people cycling eastbound will be directed north on Lowell Street, east on Vernon Street, and south on Central Street to reconnect with the path.

• Westbound (toward Davis Square) - People cycling will be directed south on Central Street, west on Albion Street, and north on Lowell Street before turning to the path via the existing ramp.

On-site detour signage will be installed prior to the detour going into place. Once in place, the detour will be in effect 24 hours a day.

Once in the detour is place, no one will be allowed in the park and the detour will be in effect 24 hours a day. Community path users and community members are reminded to please use caution while traveling along detour streets in residential neighborhoods.

While the community path will be reopened after the new path is paved, the park will remain under construction and is expected to open in spring of 2025.

If you have questions, please call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400 or email construction@somervillema.gov.

UPDATE: Construction Phase 1

UEL Contractors will continue to work during the winter, weather permitting.

Anticipated Schedule: September - Early Spring 2024 (subject to change)

Location: On-Site - Junction Park (Centre St. to Central St.)

Description of Work:

• Repaving Community Path between Centre St. and Central St.

• Tree removal

• Underground utility work

• Look out installation

• Light pole installation

Anticipated Impacts:

• Community Path: During Phase 1, the Community Path will remain open and directed along the construction site. Access from Woodbine and Central street will remain open.
  
  

• The temporary asphalt path is the same width as the Community Path extension from Central Street to Brickbottom and meets ADA accessibility requirements.

Construction Phase 1

Anticipated Schedule: September - December 2023 (subject to change)

Location: On-Site - Junction Park (Centre St. to Central St.)

Description of Work:

• Repaving Community Path between Centre St. and Central St.

• Tree removal

• Underground utility work

• Seat wall and retaining wall installation

Anticipated Impacts:

• Community Path: During Phase 1, the Community Path will remain open and directed along the construction site. Access from Woodbine and Central street will remain open.
  
  

• The temporary asphalt path is the same width as the Community Path extension from Central Street to Brickbottom and meets ADA accessibility requirements.

EVENT RECORDING:

https://youtu.be/sD5WcJ-JfZ4

Somerville Junction Park Ground Breaking Ceremony

Location: In-Person, 114 Central Street

Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2:30-3:30 PM (rain date Friday, August 18, 9:30-30:30am)

Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Gomez-Mouakad, and City Staff invite you to a Ground Breaking Ceremony for Somerville Junction Park. We are excited to break ground – come celebrate this milestone!

Questions contact: Cortney Kirk – ckirk@somervillema.gov, 617-625-6600 x 2544

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 5 City Councilor Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, and the City’s Division of Public Space and Urban Forestry held a virtual community meeting to learn about upcoming construction to improve and expand Somerville Junction Park.

Please view the recording of the fourth Junction Park Neighborhood Meeting with Councilor Gomez-Mouakad and City Project Manager Cortney Kirk from the Public Space & Urban Forestry Division (PSUF).

VIEW RECORDING HERE

DOWNLOAD SLIDES HERE

Below is a breakdown of the draft project schedule for Somerville Junction Park:

- Construction Mobilization - Week of August 14, 2023

- Groundbreaking Ceremony - August 16, 2:30-3:30pm (rain date: 8/18, 9:30-10:30am)

- Construction of park - August 2023 - December 2024

All timeline are subject to change.

Please email Cortney Kirk at ckirk@somervillema.gov with any questions.

Please view the recording of the third Junction Park Community Meeting with landscape architects Crowley Cottrell. Design development, including program elements, materials and the proposed plant palette was presented, and attendees asked questions and provided feedback.

VIEW RECORDING HERE

At this meeting, City staff and consultants will discuss the design process to date, continue the define the spaces and materials within the park, and seek public feedback. Construction is expected to begin after the MBTA Green Line and Community Path extensions are completed later this year.

Please click the link below to register for the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83918331802

Or One tap mobile :

US: +16465588656,,83918331802# or +16469313860,,83918331802#

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 720 707 2699 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799

Webinar ID: 839 1833 1802

International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kLL3Pr4PZ

Please view the recording of the second Junction Park Community Meeting with landscape architects Crowley Cottrell. Design development was presented, and attendees asked questions and provided feedback. One additional community meeting will follow in July 2022.