Eagle Street Initiative Work Begins With Delivery of Parked Pocket Park

June 21, 2018

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Work is beginning on the NAMAzing Eagle Street Initiative with the delivery of an extended park structure right on the street.

The manufactured pocket park built by B&B Micro-Manufacturing, a local tiny house construction company, takes up about two parking spots on the west side of the one-way street. It offers plenty of seating and counter space for eating and solar lighting for the evening.

The structure is part of a rejuvenation plan for the historic street that is being funded with $35,871 in donations and a $25,000 matching MassDevelopment grant. The fundraising effort, done online through Patronicity, raised about $10,000 above its $25,000 goal.

The grassroots effort has involved residents, local businesses and city officials to develop ways to reinvigorate the byway through signage, social spaces, art installations and clearly marked entrances for pedestrians and motorists.

Right across from the manufactured park, the small pocket park installed where the former Tropical Gardens used to be is also being refreshed. The land was donated to the city about a decade ago after the building on it burned. The park had a bench but wasn't particularly inviting and not well used.

The initiative is putting in cobblestones, artwork and seating to make the space more welcoming. Fencing in the rear will allow for future access to the Center Street parking lot. The idea is to expand the social space on Eagle and provide an area for programming such as music or events.

New overhanging signage for the stores along the street have already been approved by the City Council and Planning Board. The round signs are being manufactured Neathawk Designs and a logo of a white eagle on blue will be used to designate the area. Eagles also decorate the brackets that will hold the signs. The colors and fonts are the same as the city's new branding design that can be seen on the three welcome to North Adams signs.

The entire project will have a ribbon cutting upon completion later this summer but the new parklet will be open for use.