The City of Medford is undertaking over $2.4 million in park renovation projects, with several slated for completion this construction season, announced Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. 

“What makes Medford so unique is our abundant green and open spaces, and to ensure that these spaces remain accessible, engaging, and vibrant, we need to continue to make significant investments in their improvements,” said Mayor Lungo-Koehn. “Thank you to the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability, the Department of Public Works, our Office of Procurement, and Medford Recreation for their hard work on these important projects.” 

Construction is underway for the Logan Park nature play area, with completion expected in late spring. The project adds natural play features and seating made from repurposed wood and stone, including log balance beams, stump steppers, and a log stair climber. This project was paid for with Community Preservation Act (CPA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant funding. The City also hopes to release a Call for Artists this year to sculpt a piece of public art out of an existing tree stump at the park, in partnership with the Medford Arts Council. 

The Riverside Plaza shade improvement project, paid for with CPA funding and a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant from the state, will also be completed this spring. Updates will begin in early spring and include adding shade umbrellas and sails to the plaza patio, a water bottle filling station, and an accessible floating deck under the existing tree cover in the adjacent lawn. 

The Clippership Pop-Up Park is returning for the 2026 season. The City is working with local partners to schedule programming, including Medford Recreation and Medford Brewing Company. The park is also available to rent for public and private events – visit the City website to learn more.  

The City will be painting and reinforcing a bright pathway between the parking lane and lawn on Playstead Road, to promote pedestrian safety near the Commuter Rail station and park. The pathway will not affect parking and is forecasted for late spring. Additionally, at Playstead Park, work will commence this spring to resurface the tennis court and pave the accessible parking spaces. 

Last summer, bleachers were installed at Tufts Park, and the City is now working with a contractor to install shade structures this spring. Thanks to the support of State Representative Christine Barber, a state earmark will fund outreach and design efforts to improve the Tufts Park playground. Community members interested in participating are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability to learn more at ocd@medford-ma.gov.  

After opening Phase I of the extensive Carr Park renovations in 2024, the City has been working diligently to open remaining parts of Phase II and finish the total project by the end of the summer. In addition to the playground, which will open once a few final inspection items have been addressed, the final phase brings to the park a splash pad, adult fitness area, shaded pavilion/seating area, picnic lawn, tall teen swings, open air basketball court (with street hockey striping), a covered basketball court with lighting and solar panels on the roof. These solar panels will provide the City with energy credits that can be used to power other park features and the nearby fire station. The new skate park opened as part of Phase II in October 2025. Phase II is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and federal funding from the Department of Energy thanks to an earmark by Congresswoman Katherine Clark. After the playground opens this winter, the remaining park will open in mid-summer. 

Other park and public space improvements in the works include:  

• The City is working on final designs and permitting at Wright’s Pond to replace the walkway to the beach from the parking lot and the stage area with an accessible, covered patio and new park benches, as well as invasive plant management. 
• Design work for a Covid-19 Memorial Grove was completed with TreesMedford in 2025. The City is now exploring funding sources. 
• The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) developed and published a Mystic Shoreline Revitalization Plan. MyRWA is now engaging with municipal and local partners to encourage the plan’s implementation. Learn more about the plan here. 
• The City is working with DCR on installing new stage lights at the Condon Shell. 
• TreesMedford is planning to pilot a mini forest at Tufts Park. Find more info here! 

A complete list of ongoing and completed parks projects is available here.