City of Lowell Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Veterans Park

On July 22, 2024, The City of Lowell, Massachusetts hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Veterans Park in the Belvidere neighborhood. This new park, funded entirely by state earmarks, serves as a community gathering space to honor and remember our nation’s heroes.

BETA Group, Inc. (BETA) provided design services for the park, with construction by Belko Landscaping commencing in November 2023. Our team of landscape architects worked with City staff and the Lowell Project Design Committee on transforming this underutilized open space into a commemorative asset to the City.

Referred to as “a stunning new community space honoring our nation’s heroes” by Mayor Daniel P. Rourke, Veterans Park includes meandering paths, a central lawn, a flagpole with an inscribed base, and custom curved granite seat walls with plaques that acknowledge all branches of the US Military. The park also features new lighting, an irrigation system, and stormwater management solutions including green infrastructure and rain gardens.

BETA developed a planted “buffer zone” for abutting homeowners on three sides of the park, creating a native border landscape for the site. Pedestrian connections and Veterans programming for the adjacent Reilly Elementary School were also incorporated. Final park design was heavily shaped by input from local residents and the Belvidere Neighborhood Association. Together, a community area was created that provides both gathering spaces and quiet areas to pay tribute to City veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.