In 2025, following much discussion and feedback from the community, Abington’s Community Preservation Committee directed nearly one million dollars toward the revitalization of our Town’s parks and recreational facilities, including new playgrounds at Green Street, Arnold Park, and Island Grove.
Green Street
The Green Street playground improvement project, which broke ground earlier this year, is moving forward after tackling weather-related challenges.
In January, professional playground installers quickly realized the property had too much groundwater to allow cement to set, a necessary component to the installation of footings needed to anchor the play structure. Despite their best efforts, their only option was to wait until warmer, drier weather.
This summer, the water table finally dropped and Phase 1 was completed. Phase 2, involving a number of new playground pieces including swings, will be ready for installation in the fall. Installers hope to complete it by November, provided the weather stays dry. Lastly, they will backfill the entire area with fall-safe material, leveling the play area with the grass.
In addition to Town funds and outside grants secured by the Planning Board, The project is funded Community Preservation Act funds, including $60,000 approved in April 2024 for Phase 1 and another $60,000 granted in April 2025 for Phase 2.
Arnold Park
With the support of Abington’s Parks & Recreation Commission, Department of Public Works, and the Abington Street Hockey League, Arnold Park is undergoing a major renovation. The North Abington Park will host a new playground and two street hockey rinks.. Designs for the playground and courts have been completed. The play structure pieces will be ordered this Fall, with the intention of construction happening March - June 2025.
The Arnold Park projects are funded partly by Community Preservation funds and partly by a grant from the Boston Bruins Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds athletic and educational programs for children, families, and the community.
Island Grove
A number of exciting projects are underway at Abington’s Island Grove Park! A new snack shack will be installed over the next few months. The new building will better suited for the needs of the summer programs and the various events that use the facility throughout the year. A small play structure located by the swimming area will be installed in early 2025, filling a longtime community request. Both of these projects are funded through CPA funds. Community Preservation Act
Community Preservation Act Information
Massachusetts’ Community Preservation Act was passed in 2000, allowing municipalities to add a surcharge on local property taxes with the input of residents, which can then be matched by the Community Preservation Trust Fund. These funds are used in part to preserve public spaces, historic sites, and recreational facilities. Over 200 Massachusetts communities are enrolled in the program and have raised over three billion dollars combined.
Abington’s committee accepts project applications from residents annually. This year’s deadline is October 21, 2025
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