The Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA) has won a $400,000 grant for improvements at Trafton Park on Granite Street, the maximum award amount under the state’s competitive Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant program, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides announced this week.
The grant will be used to implement the first phase of improvements under the new Trafton Park Master Plan, which was developed through a series of community meetings in 2018 and 2019 that were led by Ward 6 Councillor Dave Camell, Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow and the Malden Redevelopment Authority. The Master Plan envisions a more inclusive and accessible Trafton Park, including an upgraded baseball field, a new U8 soccer field, expanded play areas for children of all ages, a multi-use play court, a challenge course designed for teens and pre-teens, improvements to the existing dog park, a plaza for community concerts and events, a paved walking path encircling the park, and other features. The PARC grant will go toward constructing Phase I improvements, which includes expanding play areas, upgrading the ball field, addressing accessibility concerns, and other needs.
“This grant is a major win for our city and is the result of an intensive team effort and great community partnerships,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “This grant will help us make Trafton Park a more welcoming and accessible park for residents of all ages and abilities and help us continue to move Malden forward for everyone.”
“Trafton Park is really the heart of our ward,” said Councillor Dave Camell. “That's why it was important that this project was community led and incorporated so much feedback from our residents. What I am most excited about is that these changes are going to help make the park a place where entire families can come and spend the day together.”
“This grant helps ensure that the updates to Trafton Park will reflect the call from residents to both rehabilitate the best elements of Trafton – the play area, field, walkways and dog park – while also enhancing those elements to allow for youth softball, baseball and soccer on the field and accommodate a greater variety of play on the courts,” said Councillor Steve Winslow.
“This grant award will go a long way toward achieving the vision the community set for this park,” said MRA Executive Director Deborah Burke. “The MRA was proud to work with the Mayor, the Councillors, and the community to help develop the Master Plan and earn this grant, and we look forward to seeing this project through to completion.”
The MRA, working with Councillors Camell and Winslow, is also applying for Community Preservation Act funds to complete the Trafton Park Phase I project.