Harambee Park Improvements
Harambee Park is undergoing a multi-phased park renovation project. We are currently starting Phase 5.
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Harambee Park, formerly Franklin Field, is an active recreation park with 45 acres of fields for a variety of sports. The park contains basketball courts, cricket pitches, multi-purpose soccer and lacrosse fields, a football field, little league field and play spaces. Boston Parks and Recreation completed a master plan in early 2016. The plan keeps the existing recreational uses, re-orients the fields for optimum solar orientation, adds pathways with pedestrian lighting, and introduces a new play area on the west side of the park along Blue Hill Avenue.
Timeline
- Construction of Phase 1 (the new play space, basketball courts, and entrances) was completed in 2018.
- Construction of Phase 2 (multi-purpose soccer and lacrosse fields, and pathways) was completed in 2021.
- Construction of Phase 3 (football field and practice field) was completed in 2022.
- Construction of Phase 4 (cricket competition field and practice field) was completed in spring 2025.
- Phase 5 (netball and tennis courts, walkway connection) community engagement is underway.
Upcoming meetings
MeetingsHarambee Park Master Plan and Implementation Phases
Past ProcessA Master Plan was drafted in 2015 to inform future phases park improvements. A preferred site plan option was developed with community input and an eye to future open space need.
- Harambee Park Master Plan Meeting #1 agenda (June 3, 2015)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Meeting #1 presentation (June 3, 2015)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Meeting #2 agenda (October 28, 2015)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Meeting #3 agenda (February 23, 2016)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Meeting #3 presentation (February 23, 2016)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Preferred Site Plan (February 23, 2016)
The scope of Phase 1 included:
- Basketball court improvements with new sports lighting.
- An exciting new play area on Blue Hill Avenue. The play area features a fully accessible mound and play tower, hill slides, climbing equipment, swings, and water play.
- Pathway and entry improvements to improve safety.
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Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #1 Agenda (September 21, 2016)
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Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #1 Flyer (September 21, 2016)
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Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #2 Agenda (October 27, 2016)
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Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #2 Presentation (October 27, 2016)
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Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #3 Agenda (January 25, 2017)
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Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #3 Presentation (January 25, 2017)
The scope of Phase 2 included:
- Improved multipurpose fields for Soccer and Lacrosse.
- Green infrastructure improvements to better control wet areas and drainage.
- Pathway and entry improvements to improve safety.
- Harambee Park Phase 2 Community Meeting Presentation (November 15, 2018)
The scope of Phase 4 included:
- One competition cricket field with lighting and irrigation, and one practice field. Both have scoreboards and bleacher seating.
- Green infrastructure improvements to better control wet areas and drainage.
- Pathway and entry improvements to improve safety, including pedestrian lighting.
- Harambee Park Phase 4 Community Meeting 1 Presentation (October 19, 2022)
- Harambee Park Phase 4 Community Meeting 1 Video Recording (October 19, 2022)
- Harambee Park Phase 4 Community Meeting 2 Video Recording (January 19, 2023)
- Harambee Park Phase 4 Community Meeting 3 Video Recording (April 26, 2023)
Previous Phases
Westview Street CRICKET FIELDS
- Project Status: Under Construction
- Construction Budget: $2,083,000
- Project Features: Two cricket fields (one competition field with lighting, one practice field), bleacher seating, pathways and pedestrian lighting
- Consultant: Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc.
- Contractor: Fleming Brothers Inc.
Westview Street Football Field
- Project Status: Complete
- Construction Budget: $2,600,000
- Project Features: Football field improvements, pathway, and entry improvements
- Consultant: Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc.
- Contractor: Fleming Brothers Inc.
Talbot Avenue Multipurpose Fields
- Project Status: Complete
- Construction Budget: $3,060,000
- Project Features: Soccer and Lacrosse fields, pathway and lighting improvements, entrance enhancement
- Consultant: Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc.
- Contractor: Fleming Brothers Inc.
Blue Hill Avenue Playground and Courts
- Project Status: Complete
- Construction Budget: $2,500,000
- Project Features: New playground, court renovation with lights, pathway, and entry improvements
- Consultant: Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc.
- Contractor: Fleming Brothers Inc.
Community meetings archive
We place information on upcoming and previous meetings in the public notices section of Boston.gov. We'll update this page with new meeting information as we get it.
Master Planning:
- Harambee Park Master Plan Community Meeting #3 (February 23, 2016)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Community Meeting #2 (October 28, 2015)
- Harambee Park Master Plan Community Meeting #1 (June 3, 2015)
Phase 1: New Playground and Basketball Courts on Blue Hill Avenue
- Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #3 (Jan 25, 2017)
- Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #2 (October 27, 2016)
- Harambee Park Phase 1 Community Meeting #1 (September 21, 2016)
Phase 2: Multipurpose Fields and Walkways on Talbot Avenue
- Harambee Park Phase 2 Community Meeting (November 15, 2018)
Phase 3: Football Field and Walkways on Westview Street
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Harambee Park Phase 3 Community Meeting (January 14, 2020)
Phase 4: Cricket Fields at Westview Street
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Harambee park phase 4 community meeting #1 (October 19, 2022)
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Harambee Park Phase 4 Community Meeting #2 (January 19, 2023)
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Harambee Park Phase 4 Community Meeting #3 (April 26, 2023)
Groups we're working with
Groups
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