Lake Street Park off ers new picnic grove and walking loop
By Heather Dubois Contributing Writer

(l to r) Dan Rowley, foreman of the Parks and Cemetery Commission; Angela Snell, director of the Parks and Recreation Department; Ed Vigliatura, commissioner of Parks and Cemetery; State Rep. Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury; Jack Bowles, chair of the Parks and Cemetery; State Sen. Edward M. Augustus Jr., D-Worcester; and Selectmen John LeBeaux and Moria Miller gather July 20 to officially acknowledge the completion of the first phase of work at Lake Street Park.

Shrewsbury - Shrewsbury's Parks and Recreation Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 20 after the completion of Phase I at Lake Street Park. The park now has a new picnic grove and a walking loop that is one-third of a mile long. At the ceremony, Angela Snell, the director of the Parks and Recreation Department spoke of the need for spaces like this in the community.

"It's not just for sports, but for all members of the community to enjoy: the elderly and mothers with carriages," Snell said.

The land was acquired by the town less than 10 years ago. A partnership between the Parks and Cemetery Commission and the Engineering Department, along with funds secured at the state level and private donations, helped convert the space into the wooded park it is today.

Chair of the Parks and Cemetery Commission Jack Bowles considered the land to be a "diamond in the rough."

"It took a little longer than expected and there is still work to do, but we are really excited to have this facility," Bowles said in his opening remarks.

The ceremony was attended by state officials, local department heads and members of the community, as well as directors from Shrewsbury Youth Soccer and Shrewsbury Youth Little League. Officials included State Rep. Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury.

"Now we have a park in every corner of Shrewsbury," Polito said.

Polito's office was responsible for securing $100,000 from last year's administration and an additional $175,000 from this year's administration to work on the park.

"That money will go towards Phase II at Lake Street Park," she said. "There will be continued work on the overall infrastructure of the area, the parking lot and the site work will be set for the two intended baseball fields."