The city of Gloucester officially has a new West Gloucester “gateway.”
Essex County Greenbelt and the city Tuesday celebrated the the official opening of the Tompson Street Reservation Gateway at 125 Bray St., with Mayor Carolyn Kirk and a number of other officials participating.
The Gateway opening completes a project that began in early 2011, when an opportunity to acquire an adjacent 6.5 acre parcel that was at risk of imminent development.
In June of last year, Greenbelt secured an option to purchase a 6.5-acre parcel on Bray Street for $220,000 from a private owner, and quickly launched a campaign to raise the required funds from public and private sources. Then, in September 2011, Gloucester’s Community Preservation Committee recommended that $120,000 in CPA funding be approved to support Greenbelt’s grant request.
That move was later approved by the City Council, making the “Gateway” acquisition Gloucester’s first open space conservation project supported by CPA funding. Fields Pond Foundation supported the project with a grant, while Cell Signaling Technology and other local businesses tied to the environment also provided support for the project.
“Many community partners, funders and donors worked together in 2011 to secure the funds needed to expand Greenbelt’s largest public reservation,” said Greenbelt Executive Director Ed Becker. “Through the generosity of the City of Gloucester, and over one hundred other donors, Greenbelt is now proud to present improved access to over 300 acres of woodland trails available for outdoor adventure. Like all our work, we could not have done this without you, and now it’s time to say thanks.”
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