In 1880 the City of Newton built Farlow Park – the first public park in Newton.  It was a beautiful design by George Frederick Meacham, the dude who designed Boston’s Public Gardens.

Back in the early 2000’s some neighbors came across old postcards with pictures of the park back in it’s heyday.  They realized that the current park was a shadow of what it had once been.  It had been originally designed around a beautifully landscaped pond with a walking bridge over it – all of that had long since fallen into rack and ruin.

In 2004 they formed the Friends of Farlow Park with the mission to restore the park to the original vision – rebuild the pond, rebuild the bridge, restore the landscaping, etc.   It was an incredibly ambitious and complicated project for a community group to take on.

Over the past 14 years the Friends of  Farlow Park have worked with the federal government (CDBG block grant), the state government (CPA funding), the City government (Parks & Rec, DPW, Planning), and local businesses to get the job done.

One wonderful detail along the way:  The plan called for a well to be drilled to supply the water for the pond.  A pump would need to run in perpetuity to keep the pond clear and full.  Anything that requires ongoing expenditure year after year for maintenance and operation is always an issue.  They came up with an ingenious solution. 

The Underwood School is across the street and the city runs an underground sprinkler system to keep the Underwood playing field watered – and the city needs to pay for that water.   The well that was drilled for the park will now feed the Underwood sprinkler system.  The money that the city will save on watering the field will more than cover the ongoing electricity and maintenance of the Farlow Park well pump.

This Sunday, Oct 28 at 1 PM, the new park will be formally dedicated.   Head down to Farlow Park and see Newton’s oldest/newest park. It’s at the corner of Eldredge Street and Church Street, just off Centre St a few blocks before Newton Corner.

Congratulations to everyone who had the tenacity and commitment to see this very special 14 year project through to completion.   From the photos I’ve seen it sure looks like it was worth it.