New Trees Enhance Fr. Grillo Park

As part of the Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Initiative/Back Central, five ornamental trees were recently planted in Fr. Grillo Park.

This gem of a green space in the Back Central neighborhood is maintained by Adopt an Island participants Chris and Diane Geggis.  The new Kwanzan Cherry trees will provide a dramatic mid-spring display of pink blossoms and, as they grow, increasing shade for this highly visible park at the junction of Central and Chapel Streets.

More trees will be planted as part of ongoing efforts in the Back Central Initiative area.  In addition, the extension of Richmond Avenue is expected to be complete soon and will improve access and security for Rotary Club Park and for the park’s successful community garden project.

Even more trees will be planted as part of the currently underway East Pawtucketville/West Acre initiative.

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Springtime is Adopt an Island Time

Spring has finally arrived with warm and sunny weather—or will soon, we hope.  Which means that Lowell’s Adopt an Island Program will soon launch another season.

Volunteer organizations and citizens will be out helping to beautify green spaces along roadsides, at intersections and in parks across the City. From Fr. Grillo Park to Fr. Maguire Park and from Holtham Square to Dover Square to Kiggins Square, dedicated and creative volunteers will again transform dozens of public spaces into attractive, welcoming “oases” across the City.

Adopters’ efforts include a range of activities from basic mowing, weeding and litter control to more extensive endeavors such as the planting and watering of flower beds.  The City provides mulch and a sign recognizing the efforts of the island’s Adopter.

For more information on the program and how you can get involved, please click here or contact Henri Marchand, assistant to the City Manager at hmarchand@lowellma.gov or (978) 674-1002.

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Adopter “Welcomes” Fall Theme to Central Street

Earlier this year, we began publicizing the wonderful work our adopters put into our Adopt-an-Island program.  They all work extremely hard to ensure we can effectively display Lowell’s splendor.

This week, we travel to Central Street where LowellBank has developed their adopted island.  It is located where Central meets with Middlesex and Gorham and is complimented by a beautiful “Welcome to Lowell” sign.

LowellBank has truly made their work one that is enjoyed by all.  Not only have they kept up with the weeding and clean-up, but they also have added seasonal displays. 

LowellBank colleagues Patty Koczera and Michael Breda proudly stand  by their company’s masterpiece while a photo is taken.

If you or someone you know would like to adopt your own island, contact Henri Marchand in the City Manager’s Office at HMarchand@lowellma.gov.

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Adopter Honors Veterans

This is the latest in our series highlighting the residents, businesspeople and others who participate in the Adopt an Island program.  These volunteers contribute their time and talents to transform traffic circles, triangles, squares and corner crescents across the City into attractive and welcoming public spaces.

Two memorial parks flanking Ennel Street between the VFW Highway and Lakeview Avenue stand out thanks to the work of adopter John Spinney of J. T. Spinney, Inc.  John and his staff have cleared overgrowth, planted flowers and trimmed trees and shrubs.  A Veteran himself, John has a particular fondness for these memorial parks and feels it is not only an honor but a duty to help maintain them.

“I chose to adopt the two islands to honor local veterans who have defended our country,” says John.  “As a member of the US Army myself, I know firsthand of what it takes to put the welfare of the nation before your own and I hold those who served before me so that I could live free in the highest regard.”

Like all island adopters, John sees the program as a way to contribute not only to veterans but to the city.  “As a local construction company owner, it’s great to know we can use our equipment and manpower to give back to the community in some way,” he says.  “My staff and I are glad to help improve Lowell.”

If you’re passing by and see John at work on these islands, let him know you appreciate his work keeping these Centralville memorials looking great.

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Island Adopter Makes Rogers Street Flower

This is the latest in our ongoing series highlighting the residents, businesspeople and others who participate in the Adopt an Island program.  Adopters volunteer their time, talents and resources to transform traffic circles, triangles, squares and corner crescents into attractive and welcoming public spaces.

This week we visit the Belvidere neighborhood where Frank Provencher’s Lowell pride welcomes travelers along Rogers Street at its intersection with Boylston and Fairmount.

Frank has been maintaining two Eastham Circle islands for about 5 years.  Last year he also took on the island at Rogers and Nesmith Streets, adding flower planters to the concrete island.

“It’s beneficial to the neighborhood and the city,” says Frank who encourages everybody to contribute to the city’s streetscape by working on their properties.

If you happen to be passing one of Frank’s islands, let him and his gardeners know you appreciate their work in making this busy intersection a stunning entryway to the city.

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Adopters Take Pride in Back Central

The latest in our series highlighting the residents, businesspeople and others who participate in the Adopt an Island program.  These volunteers contribute their time and talents to transform traffic circles, triangles, squares and corner crescents across the City into attractive and welcoming public spaces.

This week we travel to the Back Central neighborhood and visit with Chris and Diane Geggis who have enthusiastically adopted Father Grillo Park, keeping it clean, trimming its shrubs and enhancing the park’s raised beds.

“We enjoy being a part of the Back Central community,” says Chris, “and want to set a good example of stewardship.”

“By volunteering to keep up Father Grillo Park,” adds Diane, “we believe our neighborhood is a little bit nicer.  It improves the quality of life for our community.  And in return, our quality of life is improved.”

“There are no easy solutions to making a neighborhood look well cared for, but it is easy to care about our neighborhood,” says Chris.  “We would also like to thank Dan and his family for helping us to keep the park clean.”

The Geggis’ pride and enthusiasm in their neighborhood and their city is evident in their work and words.  “There’s a lot to like about Lowell!” says Diane.

If you see them out in Father Grillo Park caring for this public oasis, please let them know you appreciate their efforts.

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Adopters Brighten City Islands II

Residents, businesspeople and others are participating in the Adopt an Island program and helping to brighten traffic circles, triangles, squares and corner crescents across the City.

Over the next few months we’ll highlight these islands and the people who volunteer their time and talents to transform them into attractive and welcoming public spaces.

At the corner of the VFW Highway and Aiken Street is where, over the last six years, Jack and Salmira Mitchell have developed an ever-changing palette of plants that welcomes drivers to Centralville.  Jack and Salmira can often be seen planting and nurturing a variety of perennials that bloom all summer long.  They also make sure the shrubs are trimmed and weeds and litter kept at bay.

“I love taking care of the flowers,” says Salmira.  “It’s hard work at times, but also very relaxing.  The program gives us the opportunity to help beautify our neighborhood.  My plan this year is to move some of the plants so the sign for Centralville will be more visible.”

The Mitchells also plan to add perennials to the back of the garden.

If you’re passing by and see them at work on the island, give them a shout out of thanks for their work keeping this Centralville entryway looking great.

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Island Adopters Making City Shine

Residents, businesspeople and others are participating in the Adopt an Island program and helping to brighten traffic circles, triangles, squares and corner crescents across the City.

Over the next few months we’ll highlight these islands and the people who volunteer their time and talents to transform them into attractive and welcoming public spaces.

We begin at the corner of Mammoth Road and Woodward Avenue where the Erickson family–Corey and Gayle and daughters Jessica and Hannah–maintains the large flower bed located in Fr. Maguire Park in memory of Gayle’s mother.  They plant annuals to complement the shrubs and perennials and keep the plants watered.  They also make sure the shrubs are trimmed and weeds and litter kept at bay.

“The City’s Adopt an Island Program was foremost, a way to rededicate our love to an amazing person no longer with us,” says Corey.  ”It was a great effort we hope continues with dedication… the very best and most local of ways to illustrate the significance of greenspace preservation, community pride & positive neighborhood influence.  We enjoy the partnership!”

If you happen to see them at work on the island, give them a shoutout of thanks for their work keeping this Pawtucketville corner looking great.

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