PARC funds were used to rehabilitate Prospect Hill Park. —Photos courtesy of City of Somerville

The City of Somerville has been awarded $400,000 for park improvements through the Commonwealth’s Parkland Acquisition and Recreation for Communities (PARC) Grant Program.

In a ceremony on September 21, Governor Charlie Baker announced Somerville as one of 23 communities across the state selected to receive PARC funds this year. The PARC Program was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for parks and outdoor recreation purposes. Since 2004, Somerville has been awarded more than $6 million through the program. Recently, PARC funds were used to rehabilitate Prospect Hill Park and reconstruct the Central Hill playground. 

The city will use this year’s PARC award to renovate and expand Somerville Junction Park, located off of Central Street near the Community Path extension, which is currently being constructed as part of the Green Line Extension project. Planned improvements include planting trees and adding a splash pad, fitness area, and community gardens.