Central Falls cuts ribbon on newly renovated Pierce Park
CENTRAL FALLS, RI (February 22, 2024) – On Thursday, Mayor Rivera, city officials, youth sport coaches, project funders, and community members gathered to officially open the city’s newly renovated Pierce Park, with a new little league baseball field and basketball court.
Following an environmental scan in 2020 that confirmed the presence of soil contaminants, likely due to the area’s long history of metals and textile manufacturing, Pierce Park was closed for necessary clean-up. Thanks to brownfields grant funding from the RI Department of Environmental Management, American Rescue Plan Act dollars allocated by the city, and investment from the Narragansett Bay Commission to support new stormwater management infrastructure at the park, Pierce Park is officially open for use by youth leagues, families, and the greater community.
“I’m proud of our amazing Planning Department for brainstorming creative ways we could make renovations at this park possible. Their focus allowed us to keep this important recreational space available in our city,” said Mayor Rivera. “Thank you to our funders and project partners who made this beautiful new park a reality. I know our new little league baseball field and basketball court will be enjoyed by many for years to come.”
“The community cleanups and investments made possible by brownfields grants underscore the power of the green bonds that finance them,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Green bonds help restore our environment, support economic development, and strengthen Rhode Island’s resiliency in the face of climate change. DEM is grateful that Governor McKee has proposed $5 million in additional funding for the brownfields grant program in the 2024 Green Bond for the ballot in November. If approved, this investment will help continue the success we’ve achieved with our partners, such as the great City of Central Falls and Mayor Rivera, by investing in the cleanup of sites across the state. This investment has helped build new schools, businesses, affordable housing, and green energy projects.”
“This project represents an important win-win for the Narragansett Bay Commission and the City of Central Falls,” said Narragansett Bay Commission Board Chairman Vincent J. Mesolella. “We have achieved our goal of improving green stormwater infrastructure while also helping Mayor Rivera deliver new athletic facilities that will benefit all residents.”
The Saul Tarlow Little League Field at Pierce Park along the Blackstone River had been home to Central Falls Youth Baseball for generations when it had to be closed in 2020. Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony was an exciting milestone for the league, and many other youth sport teams, coaches, and athletes that will use the renovated space.
"CF Youth Baseball is dedicated to growing the sport, emphasizing teamwork, empowering our youth and allowing all of our families to play free! A community that hits together, sticks together!” said Central Falls Youth Baseball coach Thomas Evans. “We are thrilled to use the city's beautiful new field at Pierce Park and continue offering this positive outlet to youth across Central Falls.
