Press Releases

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) is pleased to announce $950,000 in federal grant money from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program to parks and recreational projects in Worcester, Northampton, Leominster, Northborough, and Sutton.

On Saturday, McGovern was in Sutton to announce $150,000 to Marion’s Camp Lodge for renovations and woodland trail development. Located on Lake Singletary in Sutton, for nearly 60 years, Marion’s Camp served as the Central Mass Camp Fire Camp, hosting youth from all over Worcester County.

The grant money will be used to restore and renovate the camp’s historic Goddard Lodge, named after the Camp's namesake Marion Goddard, into a multi-use facility for community events and the Town’s summer recreation programs. McGovern was joined for the announcement by Sutton Board of Selectmen Chair John Hebert, Selectman Jesse Limanek, Town Administrator James Smith, State Representative Joseph D. McKenna (R-Webster), and Sutton Town Planner Jen Hager.

“For more than 40 years the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped Massachusetts protect our parks and open spaces. I have long been a proud champion of the LWCF and the work it does to help cities and towns leverage federal dollars to spur local investment in these vital conservation projects,” McGovern said. “Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration for working to bring these smart investments to our state. I look forward to seeing these federal dollars in action in Worcester, Sutton, Leominster, Northampton, Northborough, and across Massachusetts.”

The four other projects receiving funding through the LWCF in the Second Congressional District are:

Betty Price Playground Renovation (Worcester) - $250,000

The project will include the installation of new playground equipment and ADA improvements, including accessible walkways, site amenities, picnic tables, benches, and tree planting.

Doyle Field Renovation Project (Leominster) - $250,000

The project will include a grounds; expanded play elements with mulch surfacing and natural play structures; seating areas with granite seat walls; improvements to the walking track; addition of a bocce court; construction of additional bathrooms and a bathroom upgrade; granite distance markers and signage; post lighting for walking path; plantings, lawn improvements, and site furniture, including trash receptacles, bike racks and exercise equipment.

Northborough Town Common (Northborough) - $215,000

The project will develop a town common on newly acquired land that will include landscaping, a perimeter trail, lighting, and site amenities.

Connecticut River Greenway(Northampton) - $90,000

The project will include a fully accessible boarding pier ramp to provide full access to the water and boats, the completion of paving to allow the site to be ready to serve as a public facility, and the addition of sidewalks, ramp and dock.

The LWCF was created in 1965 through an act of Congress. It is funded through off-shore oil leases and provides grants to states, as well as the federal government, for projects that protect open spaces and construct or renovate parks. Massachusetts parks and open spaces have been the beneficiary of more than $100 million since the program’s inception in 1965. Massachusetts maintains eligibility for the program by completing a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan every five years.

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