Mary Dennison Park Project

Picture showing the project for the Mary Dennison Park Project

Description of photo: The photo of the park design shows a natural turf softball field, a synthetic turf multi-sport field, a parking lot for 119 spaces and five handicapped spaces, a synthetic turf volleyball court, a handball court, two basketball courts, a new building with restrooms, a pavilion, a playground, skate spot, spray deck, fitness equipment, and walking paths.

Construction began in April 2024. As of July 31, 2025, the remediation work is 75% complete, and infrastructure/park feature work is 25% complete.

Crews have cleared the site, removed old equipment and vegetation, and established access points for safe, systematic remediation. Due to historic contamination (including lead and asbestos), all soil work follows MassDEP-approved protocols. Soils are excavated, managed in zones, and capped with a visible barrier and 12 inches of clean soil.

A dust control system is in place and monitored to protect the surrounding neighborhood.

To stabilize the site’s compressive soils, settlement monitoring is ongoing. Foamed Glass Aggregate (FGA), a lightweight and sustainable material, is being used to backfill utility trenches and reduce future settlement.

Utility upgrades are underway, including improvements to water, sewer, and drainage systems.

Visible progress includes the start of skate park construction and light pole installation. Work along Beaver Dam Brook will also improve flood capacity and help reduce neighborhood flooding.

We appreciate the community’s continued support as we transform Mary Dennison Park into a safe and vibrant public space.

Park History

Mary Dennison Park, situated on Beaver Street, was established over half a century ago through a phased development process on land acquired from the Dennison Manufacturing Company, now known as Avery Dennison. In 2014, when the City of Framingham was still a town, planning efforts were initiated to enhance the park's facilities. During soil testing, traces of metals were uncovered, prompting the immediate reporting of this contamination to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

The affected areas were temporarily closed to the public in response to this contamination. The City of Framingham has partnered with Avery Dennison Manufacturing Company to implement a remediation plan approved by Mass DEP. The overarching objective of this project is to comprehensively remediate and transform the park into a modern, vibrant space that caters to the social, physical, and economic needs of the community residing in this environmental justice neighborhood. The city consultant, Weston & Sampson Engineering, designed a park incorporating remediation options and updated park amenities.

Funding

The project is being generously funded in part with grants: $500,00 from MassDEP for remediation, $1,000,000 from MassWorks to repair utility lines below the park, and $157,000 from Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Natural Resources Damages Assessment and Restoration Program. 

The City and Avery Dennison have partnered in a cost-sharing agreement for the remediation portion of the project. The City Council unanimously approved the requested funding to complete the park's remediation, utility upgrades, and construction. 

The Park's amenities will include: 

  • Softball Field
  • Multi-use Field (synthetic turf)
  • Volleyball Court
  • Walking Paths
  • Green Space
  • Playgrounds for toddlers and pre-teens
  • Basketball Courts
  • Splash Pad
  • Skate Spot
  • Outdoor Fitness Equipment
  •  Pavilion with restrooms and concessions
  •  Upgraded Utilities
  • Parking for 110 vehicles


Presentations

Environmental Information About Mary Dennison Park