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History
of The Park
Ipswich River Park is a 49 acre site at the junction of Haverhill,
Central, and Chestnut Streets in North Reading. The site of an old
loam farm in the 60's, homestead farmland, and the prospect of a
housing development in the 90's, the Park was acquired by eminent
domain in 1992. State Urban Help grants and Town matching funds
allowed the park to develop. The combined efforts of the Land Utilization
Committee, private fund raising, Hillview Commission, local business,
and the Recreation Committee, made the project a reality.
The photo on the
upper right is a scene from the days before the River was cleaned
up and the Ipswich River Park was constructed. "The Fall's beautiful
colors can't hide the neglect this area has seen. Trash sits in the
river and along the riverbed, although turtles do like to sun themselves
on the tires"
Photos
Before The Park
Here are some
more photos of the farmland and river before the land was restored
to it's current beauty:
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The
devastation was clearly evident as you looked across the site
to Chestnut St. The abutters you see are across Central St.
The Kidspot playground is just beyond those houses on the left
about 1/4 mile away. |
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Unfortunately,
not all litter is harmless. Better clean-up programs within
the community helped put an end to this dumping.
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The
devastation of the site was clearly evident from this point.
The sandy soil doesn't support much plant life. ATVs and dirt
bikes frequent the deserted site. Piles of rocks remain from
the previous owner.
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