FOREST PARK HORTICULTURE

AND LEARNING CENTER

Preservation of the Past for the Future

THE PROPOSED HORTICULTURE CENTER

The former monkey house and brick barn will host the
proposed horticulture center in Forest Park. It is the city’s goal
to re-establish the Forest Park Horticulture Area by creating an
opportunity for exploration of the natural environment, history,
and the arts for all the patrons that visit Forest Park.

Domenic J. Sarno Board of Park Commissioners Patrick Sullivan,

Mayor of Springfield Brian Santaniello, Chairman Executive Director Parks,
Gregory Drew Buildings and Recreation
Jay Griffin
Jennifer McQuade
Terry Rodriguez
 “Springfield’s parks are a vital resource for the residents of Springfield and surrounding
communities. As Mayor, I want to continue the growth and improvements of Springfield’s open
space. Springfield’s Forest Park has provided over 130 years of enjoyment for the citizens of
Western Massachusetts and the Connecticut Valley with a resource offering the finest recreational
opportunities. It is our goal to preserve this unique natural resource for the future centuries.
Through the combined efforts of our federal, state and local governments, these goals can
be accomplished. I am requesting your support in assisting Springfield to meet these new
opportunities for Forest Park. By uniting our efforts, we can achieve our goals and preserve
our past to be enjoyed by future generations.”
—Domenic J. Sarno, Mayor of Springfield

“We want a ground to which people may easily go after their day’s work is done, and where they
may stroll for an hour, seeing,where they shall, in effect, find the city put far away from them. We
want the greatest possible contrast with the streets and shops and the rooms of the town which
will be consistent with convenience and the preservation of good order and neatness. We want,
especially, the greatest possible contrast with the restraining and confining conditions which
compel us to walk circumspectly, watchfully, jealously, which compel us to look closely upon
others without sympathy. Practically, what we most want is a simple, broad, open space of clean
greensward, with sufficient play of surface and a suffi­cient number of trees about it to supply a
variety of light and shade. This we want as a central feature. We want depth of wood enough about
it not only to comfort in hot weather, but to completely shut out the city from our landscapes.”
—Frederick Law Olmsted, Public Parks and the Enlargement of Towns, 1870

“The Springfield Park Commission welcomes you to Forest Park.

We would like to thank the federal, state and local governments for their assistance in providing
funds for the improvements of Springfield’s parks. Through a united effort we have provided
the citizens of Springfield with quality passive and active recreational facilities. However,
improvements are still needed for the continued quality of our open space. We must look
to the future and combine our efforts to preserve the past of Forest Park.”
—Brian Santaniello, Park Chairman
 LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL APPROPRIATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
PROGRAM PROGRAM SYNOPSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL BOND BILL RECEIVED TO DATE TO BE RELEASED

PHASE I $3.0 Million Repair and replace original

SWAN POND - 1855 culvert.
All appropriation
MAIN GREETING ROAD $3.5 Million This project will be
received.
PROJECT PHASE II $500,000 completed by
November, 2019.

PHASE I STUDY
PHASE I $100,000 Additional funding ADA accessible woodland
$100,000
will be sought by the walk/trail to access Porter
FOREST PARK TRAIL GRANT
city to complete the Lake from Camp
PHASE II $850,000 PHASE II $0 project. STAR Angelina.

This project allows the

city to complete the Camp
FOREST PARK STAR Angelina project with
CAMP STAR ANGELINA & an ADA accessible lodge.
PHASE I $4.0 Million PHASE I $0 PHASE I $4.0 Million The project also includes
HORTICULTURE AND a comfort station to be
LEARNING CENTER incorporated within the
new Horticulture and
Learning Center.

Improved pedestrian/
vehicle circulation patterns;
FOREST PARK improvement of Forest Park
PHASE I $1.0 Million PHASE I $0 PHASE I $1.0 Million
ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS roads; additional parking;
restoration of historic
landscape and features.

Stabilization of the erosion

gullies at the Dickinson
FOREST PARK EROSION PHASE I $2.0 Million PHASE I $0 PHASE I $2.0 Million Street and Greenleaf/
Washington Blvd.
draining systems.

This project will remedy

deficiencies to the Porter
PHASE I $800,000 PHASE I $800,000 Lake and Fountain Lake
PORTER LAKE AND Dams; and the restoration
of the Meadow Brook Ravine
FOUNTAIN LAKE DAMS- PHASE I $0
from the Swan Pond/Culvert
MEADOW BROOK RAVINE project. Completion will
allow accessibility to the
PHASE II $4.0 Million PHASE II $4.0 Million
public through the addition
of walkways.
YOU CAN HELP
Friends of Springfield Parks
The Springfield Park Department is accepting donations
towards the Forest Park Horticulture and Learning Center.
Your generous consideration will assist in the completion of this
project. For more information please email Patrick Sullivan
at Psullivan@springfieldcityhall.com or call 413-787-6444.

200 Trafton Road

Springfield, Massachusetts 01108