Pawtucket Selects Contractor to Renovate Payne Park

Construction begins in August

PAWTUCKET – Mayor Donald R. Grebien announced that the City of Pawtucket has selected YardWorks to complete the renovations to Payne Park. The park will see upgrades to the playground and added amenities, like shade coverings, benches, tables, landscaping and a spray park. Work will begin the first week of August.

“The City is excited to move forward with the upgrades and renovations to Payne Park,” said Mayor Grebien. “With the addition of a spray park, new basketball courts, and its proximity to the community center across the street, the park will be even more an asset for the neighborhood.”

A 2,500 square foot spray park will be installed to provide a fun place for children on hot summer days. To avoid wasting water, the spray park will be activated by foot and hand sensors when it is not in heavy use. The water generated from the spray park will be filtered before flowing into rain gardens to water vegetation throughout the park. The spray park will run along West Avenue to allow easier access to the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program Community Center.

The existing basketball courts will be expanded. Upgrades to the courts include: new fencing, lighting, backboards and re-surfacing. Bleachers will also be installed between the two courts. The playground area for younger children will see new panels and pieces that have been faded by the sun, and the installation of new swings. A shade canopy is being added, as well as new climbing features. The ground below the play structure will be covered by Fibar, a wood-fiber material, creating a softer surface.

The park will also see new picnic tables, benches, a seating wall, gaming tables and water bottle filling stations. The pergola will be updated and new trees in the interior of the park will provide additional shade. Visitors will also have access to a walking path that meanders throughout the park. The Randall Street side of the park will feature a small outdoor, raised stage and the current graffiti wall will be replaced with a mural.

The site plans for the park and the renderings of the spray park and the playground area were completed by Gardner + Gerrish Landscape Architects, LLC. Construction will begin in August and be substantially completed by November 2018. The vendor will return in the spring to complete the project. The $881,519 project is being made possible by a $400,000 Department of Environmental Management grant, Community Development Block Grant funds and Parks and Recreation bond funds.