Since she was elected, Mayor Craig has invested significant funds in outdoor spaces. Mayor Joyce Craig’s FY22 budget allocates funds to expand those public spaces even more, building on the investments already made to make the Queen City the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
New Green Spaces and Spaces Opening Soon
- Redesigning the Mill Girl Stairs, making them ADA-compliant with improved lighting, helping to further connect the Millyard and downtown.
- Renovating Sheehan-Basquil, adding a new splash pad, a new playground and lighting, which is scheduled to open on Memorial Day 2021.
- Upgrading Prout Park by adding six new pickleball courts, expanding parking and improving lighting, construction is underway now.
- Expanding Rock Rimmon park by adding a new basketball court, skateboarding features, a walkway and new lighting.
- Improved approximately two miles of the Rockingham Rail Trail, repaired and widened to ten feet; pedestrian crossings formalized at major intersections; connections to neighboring streets established; drainage and erosion issues addressed; wayfinding signage installed.
- Renovating Veterans Park by restoring the historic monument and fountain and adding battle crosses to honor our fallen heroes.
- Renovated Pulaski Park by adding new benches and chairs, in addition to a new basketball court, to go along with the monument restoration.
- Installed the first of 10 planned Bike Fix-it stations at Bronstein Park in collaboration with the Queen City Bike Collective.
- Installed new school playgrounds at Wilson and McDonough schools, with new playgrounds and upgrades coming to Green Acres Elementary, Highland Goffes Falls Elementary, and Jewett School.
Looking to the Future
- Proposed the construction of the Canal Street Park and History Walk, beginning on the corner of Canal and Granite Streets.
- Allocated $1 million for expansion of the Riverwalk and Heritage Trail, partnering with local private organizations to expand the investment.
- Allocated $500,000 for deferred maintenance at Valley Cemetery, the first time in decades the City has made a large investment to this location.
- Renovating Veterans Park by restoring the historic monument and fountain and thanks to local volunteers, adding battle crosses to honor our fallen heroes.
- Bonding the construction of the Canal Street Park and History Walk, beginning on the corner of Canal and Granite Streets.
- Making repairs to Livingston Pool
