By Tiffany Williams –
WORCESTER — The City of Worcester announced Wednesday the first round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) Pilot Funding, awarding more than $4.3 million to support 18 projects aimed at enhancing open space, preserving historic resources, and supporting community housing.
Of the 18 funded projects, seven fall under the Open Space and Outdoor Recreation category, ten under Historic Resources, and one under Community Housing. The funding awards total $4,388,009.
The recommendations were made by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) following their evaluation of 28 applications submitted during the Spring 2025 Pilot Application Round. Projects were selected based on alignment with the City’s Community Preservation Plan and scoring criteria, along with available funding.
The funded projects reflect the CPA’s mission to preserve Worcester’s natural, historical, and cultural assets while enhancing quality of life.
Highlights of the awards include:
- Great Brook Valley (Roberto Clemente) Park Improvement Project – $1,257,044 to fund field upgrades, lighting, accessible walkways, and improved security at this city park.
- Renovation of the “Fatty Jenkins Cage” Basketball Court – $250,000 for court resurfacing, equipment upgrades, lighting, fencing, and the addition of a protective roof in the Pleasant and Piedmont neighborhoods.
- Kendrick Baseball Field Restoration – $82,914 to revitalize a key neighborhood field for youth sports and community use.
- Brooks Dairy Farm Acquisition – $55,009.50 to preserve 7.7 acres of forested land for conservation purposes, with a conservation restriction held by the Greater Worcester Land Trust.
- Hope Cemetery Gravestone Restoration (Phase 3) – $49,150 to unearth and restore historic gravestones buried since 1968, including the creation of a public-facing educational brochure.
- Worcester Historical Museum HVAC Replacement – $273,937 to modernize the museum’s climate control system and better protect its historical collections.
- Restoration of the Historic Armory by Veteran’s Inc. – $273,025 for masonry and roof repairs to maintain transitional housing and service programs for veterans.
- Affordable Housing Creation – $1,250,000 awarded to the City of Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the development of approximately 30 new affordable housing units for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with a focus on deeper affordability.
Other awarded projects include trailhead creation, park improvements, preservation of historic church structures, museum and archival conservation efforts, and restoration of architecturally significant buildings.
The CPA was adopted by Worcester voters in 2022 through approval of Question 5. The legislation (Chapter 44B of the Massachusetts General Laws) allows cities to establish a dedicated Community Preservation Fund. In Worcester, the fund is supported by a 1.5 percent property tax surcharge along with a state match. The City expects to raise more than $4 million annually for local projects related to affordable housing, open space, recreation, and historic preservation.
The CPC, which oversees the fund’s use, will continue to assess proposals for future rounds of funding. City officials emphasized that this initial round of awards sets a strong precedent for how Worcester can invest in both its history and its future.