The City has received approval for a grant that will boost the budget for the McLaughlin Park renovation by more than $150,000, according to Boston Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD) project manager Allison Perlman.
Meanwhile, the final design plan for the renovation of McLaughlin Park, which is located between Parker Hill and Fisher avenues on top of Parker Hill, is expected to be available to the public in spring 2015.
The approved grant is from the Land Water and Conservation and will boost the budget for the project from $270,000 to $430,000.
The City presented a plan for the renovation in September that would lay a loop path around the upper terrace; build an overlook area along the southeastern portion of the terrace; repair Ben’s Tower; add a new set of stairs from the upper terrace to the lower terrace; and address other maintenance issues.
Ben’s Circular Tower is a memorial for Ben Beland, according to the Boston Art Commission website. Beland, who died of cancer, was a child from Mission Hill who enjoyed playing at the park. The tower, which has large stones arranged in a circle and is designed to look like a castle, was created by artist Mags Harries.
The City gathered additional input from attendees at the September meeting and will use it to create the final plan.