21 6. Undertake High-Visibility Pilot Projects Think about selecting one or more high-visibility sites for a pilot project. Successful pilot projects in areas with high foot traffic can help to garner support from the community for more green practices. Partner with the media to explain the purpose and benefits of the projects, and highlight the community partnerships, donors, and volunteers involved in making the projects happen. Case Study: Creating a Waterfront Green Showcase at Ferrous Site Park Lawrence, Massachusetts In 2015, Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) completed the redevelopment of Ferrous Site Park, a former foundry constructed in 1845. Since the early 2000s, GWL has partnered with the city of Lawrence, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and community partners to establish a park at the site. During that time, GWL has used the site as a laboratory for youth education programs that explore the ecology of the urban area. Redevelopment addressed brownfield concerns and met the city’s overall goals of transforming the entire North Canal mill district into a thriving mixed-use, transit-oriented development. Funding for the $2.75 million project came from the city of Lawrence, the National Park Service, Groundwork USA, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Over a period of 24 months, the site was redeveloped to include recreation areas and green features, including: • Ferrous Terrace: This overlook at the historic canal spillway has a pavilion providing shelter for summertime education programs and community gatherings. • Wild Arboretum: Rows of trees that thrive in urban conditions and provide food for a range of animals. The tree species will be labelled to teach about urban forestry and ecology. • Ferrous Hill: The sand castings from the former industrial foundry adjacent to the park have been reshaped as a meadow mound with panoramic views. • Wild Woodland: A remnant woodland habitat representative of the species that grew on the site before park development. • River Edge Forest: Preserved and restored riparian habitat along the Spicket and Merrimack rivers. • Pathways: Central to the park’s design is a new looping pathway network that provides safe and universal access to excellent views of the rivers and the waterfall at the end of the North Canal. • Rain Garden: This feature will intercept and infiltrate stormwater from a 50-year storm event from the adjacent industrial property. Previously the water was discharged directly into the Merrimack River via asphalt swales. Figure 11. Top: Ferrous Site Park area before redevelopment. Bottom: park conditions after redevelopment. (Source: Groundwork Lawrence)
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